A new bus service around Phoenix Park will be free during a trial period.
It is part of the new Draft Parking Strategy for Phoenix Park which is currently up for public consultation.
After receiving more than 5,000 submissions on its previous plan, the Office of Public Works is proposing a new bus service that will link Heuston Station with various landmarks within the park.
Green Party Councillor Michael Pidgeon said the new bus route is his “favourite part” of the new strategy.
“[The proposed route is] pretty much running from Heuston past the Áras, up to the zoo and the visitors’ centre,” he told The Pat Kenny Show.
“That’ll finally allow people to access the park without a car and that will [help] people who are not able to cycle… It’s going to be run by Dublin Bus and it’s going to be free for the pilot period - which will be nice.
“But I think long-term, what I’d love to see is it just integrated into a normal route as part of Dublin Bus.”
The Wellington Monument located in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, IrelandCllr Pidgeon said the exact route is “all up for consultation” and people still have time to make suggestions to the OPW.
“If people want to take a different route or something like that, they should put in a submission before Monday,” he said.
Parking in the park comes under huge pressure during bank holidays and ahead of big events - something Cllr Pidgeon said more public transport would help with.
“Ultimately, you kind of just have to think of it like a sport’s stadium,” he said.
“You couldn’t have everyone drive to Lansdowne Road in one day and expect to find parking.
“The Phoenix Park is unfortunately a bit the same when it comes to big events [such as] the zoo on the Easter holiday - that sort of thing - you do need people to take public transport or find some other way there.”
The Papal Cross in Phoenix Park. Photo: Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ieThe draft strategy also proposes that 5% of parking in the park should be designated for those with disabilities.
“I think there’s still over 2,000 parking spaces in the Phoenix Park and this parking strategy is about using those effectively and inclusively,” Cllr Pidgeon said.
“One of the great things… is about increasing the number of disabled spaces - there’s a tiny number in the park and they’re looking at increasing them by a factor of four in one go - which will, hopefully, make the park more accessible.”
The consultation on the Draft Parking Strategy closes on Monday June 6th.
Main image: Dublin Bus and deer in the Park. Picture by: Alamy.com
