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Will private cars be able to use the empty bus lanes tomorrow?

If you’re planning a commute in a car tomorrow morning, it might not be any easier than normal.

Updated 2.07pm

DRIVERS WITH DUBLIN Bus and Bus Éireann are due to take to the picket lines tomorrow unless an eleventh-hour agreement is reached.

This means rail services will be busier, cycle lanes a bit more clogged, but most importantly for motorists – the bus lanes empty.

But private car drivers won’t be able to use these to alleviate the heavier-than-normal rush hour traffic.

In one quick sentence, Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe dashed the hopes of those who will be behind the wheel tomorrow. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, he said:

No, bus lanes are preserved for public transport.

Private cars were allow to use bus lanes during strikes in 2000, but they have remained closed during industrial action since.

However, one Fianna Fáil councillor will this morning write to the Assistant Garda Commissioner in charge of Dublin, John Twomey, calling for him to open up the lanes to normal traffic in the capital.

Councillor Daithí de Róiste said in a statement released this morning that a decision this will need to be made as soon as possible:

Up to now, the Gardaí have said that Bus lanes will remain in operation for the times designated by Road Traffic Regulations. The decision to open them is solely a matter for the Guards so I would encourage them to make the decision to open them up early today, so that commuters and those travelling across the city can make arrangements, safe in the knowledge that authorities are doing their utmost to alleviate delays.

In a statement this afternoon, gardaí said “in consultation with Dublin City Council and other stakeholders would like to advise road users that the bus lanes will operate as normal” during the strike.

“Gardai are advising motorists to allow extra time when planning their journey during the planned  bus strike,” the statement added.

Taxis and privately-owned public transport – of which there is likely to be a higher volume of tomorrow – will still be able to use these lanes, along with emergency vehicles and controversially cars carrying a Government minister, the Attorney General, or the Ceann Comhairle.

This was introduced in 2011, after the Government withdrew State cars from service in a cost-saving measure meaning they were now driven by civilians and not gardaí. This meant the vehicles were not subject to the same traffic and travel exemptions.

Plan your journey: Bank holiday transport chaos begins tomorrow as bus drivers strike >

Read: Gardaí CAN use bus lanes outside of emergencies (but they don’t want to shout about it) >

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32 Comments
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    Mute Fozz
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:53 AM

    Sure there’s ignorant drivers in the bus lanes daily…will be more of em tomorrow I would bet.

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    Mute Bill
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:38 PM

    Fozz the are called taxi drivers and unfortunately they are allowed drive in the bus lanes

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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Apr 30th 2015, 2:18 PM

    Em, en, eo, ep.

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    Mute Joe
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:40 AM

    Take a day off.

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    Mute Alan McLoughlin
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:54 AM

    I think I’ll be using them anyways… No Gardai around to enforce any road rules anyways

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    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
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    May 1st 2015, 6:21 AM

    Sur that lot only come out on match days!!

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    Mute Rothar Man
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:09 PM

    Cycle to work and you can use all lanes :)

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    Mute Alan McLoughlin
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:37 PM

    Or act like you own the road!

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    Mute Rothar Man
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    Apr 30th 2015, 1:32 PM

    We all own the roads- that how it works.

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    Mute JakeTheMuss7
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    Apr 30th 2015, 1:34 PM

    Yes let’s do that. So I can cycle 140 miles a day.

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    Mute Rothar Man
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    Apr 30th 2015, 1:56 PM

    Good on ya. That’s the spirit. Reality is most people live within 20k of where they work. If they cycled you with your 70mile commute would have almost zero traffic, so, you should also champion people cycling to work.

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    Mute Jake Race
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:55 AM

    Every other country in the developed world has transit lanes to encourage car pooling. Dafuq is wrong with people here?

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    Mute MK76
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:35 AM

    Eh, what about taxis and private buses?

    Makes no sense.

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    Mute Shane Walsh
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:37 AM

    Did you read the second last paragraph?

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    Mute Ewan Scott-Douglas
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:37 AM

    I don’t think Taxis should be in the Bus Lane anyway, they are a car for crying out loud

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    Mute Ben Leahy
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:40 AM

    They’re public transport though..

    Seem to be missing the entire point of the lane..

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    Mute MK76
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    Apr 30th 2015, 11:56 AM

    @ Shane In fairness, my point wasn’t clear.

    What The was trying to say was if private cars are allowed use the bus lanes, it negates any benefit for taxis and private buses etc, which make no sense.

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    Mute Ewan Scott-Douglas
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:19 PM

    Aren’t they labelled as private hire vehicles

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    Mute Wexford pikeman
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:28 PM

    Paschal Donohoe minister for transport and banana republic, Our Guards will turn a blind eye surely or am i being naive ?

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    Mute Paul Matthews
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    Apr 30th 2015, 5:15 PM

    Public Service Vehicle – PSV

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    Mute David McShite
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:37 PM

    All Bus lanes eventually merge with single lane traffic anyway which negates any advantage for allowing private cars to use them. It would just lead to frustration and conflict at the merging point. One slight tip between two irate motorists and it’s gridlocked!
    Strike won’t go ahead anyway. Last minute theatrical intervention on the cards.

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Apr 30th 2015, 12:54 PM

    If bus lanes were open to all traffic, would private motorists be allowed to undertake as buses and taxis do in free flowing traffic?

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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Apr 30th 2015, 3:34 PM

    No if they were open to public they would be blocked up with other cars in same way other lanes are..

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Apr 30th 2015, 5:20 PM

    Not always. Mostly at peak times traffic is at walking pace.. If its ok for buses and taxis to undertake when bus lane is not in operation then why not private vehicles.

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    Mute Al Fonso
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    Apr 30th 2015, 1:09 PM

    Allowing to use the bus lanes because dublin bus drivers are on strike is simply a populist measure that causes more trouble than it is worth. Nothing better for emergency services than finding a completely clogged bus lane when they need it the most. All so that you can save 5-10 minutes to get to work. Makes perfect sense.

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    Mute Glen
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    Apr 30th 2015, 1:08 PM

    The state are well aware that people will drive in the bus lanes during the strike so it will be a money maker in fines. Why else do you think they are keeping them reserved for public transport.

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    Mute David O'Brien
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    Apr 30th 2015, 4:23 PM

    Taxis use of bus lanes is a concession to them, not the law.

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    Mute Paul Matthews
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    Apr 30th 2015, 5:16 PM

    Not a concession, its law. All PSVs can use the bus lanes by law.

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    Mute Inanimate Carbon Rod
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    Apr 30th 2015, 2:48 PM

    I reckon the Gardai will turn a blind eye to bus lanes tomorrow, with the exception of those near the Mater and James’ hospitals.

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    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
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    May 1st 2015, 6:52 AM

    No buses slowing down the traffic it’s gonna be heaven today sur I’d hardly call what we have bus lanes!!!!!!! The buses here cause more congestion than anything else so build in proper bus lanes or as they like to call them in Dublin-Quality Bus Corridors!! My lardy arse they are!!!

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    Mute THE BIG LAD
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    Apr 30th 2015, 5:13 PM

    I reckon strike will be off lastminute.com

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    Mute Kalon Dillon
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    Apr 30th 2015, 7:39 PM

    God nooooo that’s too sensible!

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