common Excuses for Why Dublin Shouldn’t Build a Metro System

12 Dec - Adam Ross - Transport Planner at Metro Dublin

Dublin has long struggled with its transportation infrastructure, and while many recognize the need for improvement, resistance to building a metro system persists. Opponents of the metro often rely on a range of excuses, but upon closer examination, these arguments fail to hold true. Dublin is in desperate need of the Metro Dublin project by 2032 as well as Metrolink ​(even though this will take longer and will only be one line), and here’s why the common objections simply don’t make sense.

Metro Dublin Map 2032

Metrolink Map 2038 (Not nearly as impressive but still needed)

​“The Public Transport We Have is Already Fine”
Some argue that Dublin’s current public transportation system is sufficient. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Traffic congestion chokes the city daily, while buses, trams, and trains are often overcrowded and unreliable. This can especially be seen on both Luas lines (which I argue should’ve been metro lines in the first place and should be upgraded), on main roads such as Rathfarnham road and Templeogue road, and on the busiest Dublin Bus routes such as the 13, 15, 27, and 39a which often get full almost immediately during peak hours and therefore don’t meet all the passenger demand they have. The lack of adequate bus lanes and other infrastructure also exacerbates delays and congestion. What we have isn’t fine—it’s struggling to meet the needs of the present, let alone the future.

Traffic Congestion from lack of transport alternatives in Dublin

“A Few More Buses Will Solve the Problem”
Adding more buses to the streets may sound like a simple solution, but it’s not a sustainable one. Buses share the road with other vehicles and are subject to the same traffic jams that plague private cars. Even with additional buses, issues like driver shortages and service interruptions can leave passengers stranded. As well as this, there is no point in putting more buses on a busy route when none of them are able to move (when they’re constantly stuck in bad traffic). Moreover, future population growth will increase demand to levels buses simply cannot handle. Metro Dublin, with its dedicated tracks and high capacity, provides a reliable solution that buses alone cannot match.

“Once Bus Lanes Are in Place, Everything Will Be Fine”
Bus lanes are undoubtedly a positive development, but just having them in place doesn’t mean everything is suddenly going to be all peachy and perfect. Dublin’s narrow and poorly maintained roads often make it difficult to create continuous, high-quality bus corridors, not to mention when these thin roads are surrounded with historic buildings that would need to be demolished for bus lanes to even be constructed there. Even where bus lanes do and can easily exist, buses still face delays at traffic lights and junctions, which are often poorly timed and have no priority whatsoever. These measures might improve things slightly in the short term, but they won’t address the long-term capacity challenges Dublin faces. They must be integrated with a high speed, high quality and reliable metro system such as Metro Dublin to be truly successful, as only this can offer the speed, reliability, and capacity needed for a growing city.

Dublin Bus

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“The Years of Construction and Disruption Aren’t Worth It”
Yes, building a metro will involve disruption. But this short-term inconvenience pales in comparison to the long-term benefits of a fully integrated metro system. We must think about Dublin’s future. Cities that have invested in metro systems enjoy reduced congestion, faster commutes, and better quality of life. Dublin will be no different. The construction phase is a small price to pay for decades of improved transportation and economic growth. We therefore need view building a metro in the bigger picture rather than just looking for instant gratification by only seeing the immediate inconveniences of the construction period.

“A Metro Won’t Help Dublin Airport—More Airport Coaches Will Suffice”
Dublin Airport is a critical hub, yet it’s plagued by road congestion that hinders passenger access. Airport coaches are often stuck in traffic, leading to delays and unreliable service. It is entirely possible to run 24 hour service on a metro line to the airport, which would therefore provide fast and reliable service, and make it easier for passengers to catch early flights or arrive late at night. Furthermore, a metro would reduce road congestion, which will help the airport to in good conscience exceed or remove its current cap of 32 million passengers per year without overwhelming the surrounding infrastructure.

Dublin Airport Express Coach

“More Housing is What’s Needed in Dublin, Not a Metro System”
This is a false sentiment. Dublin doesn’t need to pick between housing and transportation; it needs both. In fact, a metro system can facilitate the development of much-needed housing through transit-oriented development. With Metro Dublin, up to 80,000 houses could be built in Dublin per year for a time which is more than the government’s goal of around 62,000 houses per year. This is crucial for providing more housing for people in Dublin as we are currently only building around 30,000 houses per year which is only half of what we need just to keep up with demand. By building dense, well-connected neighbourhoods around metro stations, especially around the Adamstown and Blanchardstown lines that will be served by Metro Dublin, we can accommodate more people while reducing their reliance on cars. Without a metro, adding more housing will only exacerbate traffic problems on roads and motorways that are already at capacity.

“Dublin is a Low-Rise and Low-Density City and Therefore Automatically Doesn’t Need a Metro System”
Some argue that Dublin’s low-density, low-rise urban profile means it doesn’t need a metro. However, this view overlooks the realities of the city’s transportation system. Traffic congestion on bendy and inefficient roads and overcrowded public transport options like DARTs, Luases, and Dublin buses, as well as the general inability for people to get around Dublin easily especially during peak hours shows that there is already significant demand for high-capacity transit solutions. As mentioned previously, the solution isn’t just to cram more buses or trams on to the already overcrowded streets of Dublin to increase capacity. Capacity alone isn’t everything; speed, frequency and reliability matter just as much. Cities don’t need towering skyscrapers or kilometres and kilometres of super high density development to justify a metro system; they need consistent commuter pressure along key corridors, which Dublin undoubtedly has. The existing strain on public transport and road networks shows that a metro is not only justified but essential for meeting both current and future needs.

Rathfarnham and Terenure areas in Dublin which are mainly low density but are massive traffic choke points without a metro

“The Soil Quality in Dublin Makes Building a Metro Too Expensive”
Another common excuse is that Dublin’s soil quality, including its limestone and other geological challenges, would make constructing a metro prohibitively difficult and therefore expensive. However, modern engineering techniques have been successfully used in cities with far more complex soil conditions, such as Amsterdam and Stockholm. Advances in tunnelling technology and careful planning as well as various simulations carried out by Metro Dublin can mitigate these challenges. While building a metro in Dublin may require some additional investment due to soil considerations, the long-term benefits far outweigh the initial costs and show that we can overcome this potential obstacle to provide the metro system Dublin deserves.

Dublin’s need for a metro system such as Metro Dublin is undeniable, as well as Metrolink. The excuses often put forward against it fail to address the city’s growing transportation challenges. Traffic congestion, inadequate public transit, and rising future demand require bold solutions, not half-measures. Building a metro is an investment in Dublin’s future, ensuring the city remains liveable, sustainable, and competitive for generations to come. It’s time to move beyond the excuses and embrace the transformative potential of the Metro Dublin project. The sooner this system is put into place, the better.