By Gary Petrov

A display of photos from the point of view of a commuter using public transport in Dublin. Examples of overcrowding can be seen here on Dublin Bus, Luas and Irish Rail services in densely populated or heavily visited areas in Ireland’s capital – in which the photos below were taken during peak times of travel, on-board and at stops and stations. 

Nevertheless, the photos pose the question: Do Dublin commuters need more frequent services of existing public transport, or do they need more modes of public transport? Or both? 

Whether the answer is a swift underground metro system, or more frequency on existing services – or both, the population is growing and commuting access in and around Dublin is becoming more of an issue and needs urgent attention. 

All photos present the same problem – Dublin’s public transport system is overwhelmed. 

The photos also present how this overcrowding issue can prove difficult for accessibility on public transport for wheelchair users, mobility aid users and parents with children. Even in busy times, not everyone can just squeeze on and stand. People are inevitably being left behind – hoping that the next bus, train or tram will have room. 

Getting on a train at peak times is no different. Commuters at Broombridge Station queue at every door, wondering if they will fit on-board as the train arrives full from the city centre – in which it will remain like that until it reaches the outskirts of Dublin. 

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Everyone understands that peak times will always be busy for public transport users, that’s why it’s referred to as ‘peak times’ – but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable for Ireland’s capital city and its surrounding areas’ public transport network to be severely overwhelmed, at a constant. 

In a day and age where people are being encouraged to use public transport instead of private transport, as a means of reducing carbon emissions through minimising their individual carbon footprint – it’s worth noting that the correct infrastructure is vital for that to be sustainable, otherwise, people who can won’t use public transport, if it becomes more and more overcrowded, uncomfortable and unreliable. 

A popular route having frequency in its service isn’t good enough, as it can be seen in the photos above that the demand is too high at peak times for ‘frequency’ to be enough. Ireland’s capital needs an expansion of public transport services across the board, not statements to brush the issues under the mat. 

Dublin’s public transport congestion is clearly failing people with accessibility issues, despite the designated accessible areas on-board services – as abled people are filling up the designated areas at peak times. 

Dublin needs more efficient public transport that facilitates everyone, and these photos are prime examples why improvement is needed – the only question now is, when will anything be done?