What dublin can learn from toronto's maJor transit development

Thu October 24 - Adam Ross - Transport Planner at Metro Dublin

Dublin's public transit system has long been a point of frustration for many residents, characterized by overcrowded buses, limited rail coverage, and increasing traffic congestion. As the city continues to grow, so too does the demand for a modern, efficient transportation network. One city that Dublin can look to for inspiration is Toronto, which is currently undergoing a massive transit transformation. Toronto’s ambitious plans and progress offer valuable lessons for Dublin, particularly as the Irish capital contemplates its own metro system and rapid expansion of public transit infrastructure.
 
Toronto's Transit Expansion: A Model for Rapid Growth
Toronto has recognized that expanding public transit is essential for managing urban growth and ensuring sustainable mobility. The city is investing billions in its transit system, building six key projects at once (see below). By building multiple lines and expanding services at a rapid pace, Toronto is tackling issues of congestion, improving commute times, and promoting greener travel.

Toronto Transit Map Today

Toronto Transit Map 2031

​Toronto Subway Lines/Extensions
Subway Lines/Extensions:
Yonge North Extension 8km (2031)
Bloor Extension 7.8km (2029-2030)
Ontario Line 15.6km (2031)
 
New Tram lines:
Eglinton Crosstown Line 19km (2025)
Eglinton Crosstown West Extension 9.2km (2031)
Finch West Line 11km (2025)
These lines are similar to the segregated sections of the Luas red and green lines
 
That’s a total of 70.6km of new rapid transit lines in Toronto short to medium term (31.4km metro and 39.2km tram). Once Metro Dublin is in place, Dublin’s total short to medium term rapid transit expansion length not including commuter rail will exceed that of Toronto's at 92km of metro alone!

Dublin’s Current Government Transit Proposals
 Metro:
Metrolink 18.8km (2035-2038)
 
Tram:
Luas green line extension to Finglas 4km (2036)
Luas red line extension to Poolbeg 2km (Pre 2042)
Luas green line extension to Bray (Proposed)(Pre 2042)
New Luas line to Lucan (Proposed)(Pre 2042)

Dublin Transit Map 2042 (Not including Dart Plus)

​By 2042, all Dublin plans on building is 3 tram extensions, one new tram line and one new metro line. While these are all good steps, they are taking way too long and aren’t ambitious enough to effectively meet transit demand in Dublin.
 
Why Dublin Needs a System like Metro Dublin
Dublin could benefit greatly from a similar strategy. A comprehensive and well-connected system like Metro Dublin, like the lines planned for Toronto, can dramatically improve Dublin’s public transportation by reducing reliance on cars, lowering emissions, and making the city more accessible.

Metro Dublin 2032 Map

​At present, Dublin relies heavily on buses and its two light rail lines, the Luas. While these systems work well, they are insufficient for a city growing as rapidly as Dublin. A new metro system, particularly MetroLink, will help with this issue to some extent. Dublin’s proposed MetroLink is expected to connect the city center with key areas, including Dublin Airport and the northern suburbs. This will reduce congestion on existing routes, shorten travel times, and improve the overall transit and tourist experience in those areas, but falls far short of what is actually needed as the project is taking far too long and only serves a few areas as opposed to connecting the whole city by metro.

Toronto’s experience shows the importance of building transit systems that anticipate future demand, rather than simply addressing current capacity issues. Metro Dublin will transform how people move across the city, cutting down commute times and easing pressure on roads. By constructing multiple lines quickly—much like Toronto is attempting with its multi-line approach—Dublin can ensure that its metro system serves a wide range of communities from the outset, preventing bottlenecks and overcrowding.
 
The Importance of Speed and Ambition for Transit Expansions:
Another key takeaway from Toronto is the importance of building multiple transit lines quickly. Delays in construction, as seen in some of Dublin’s past infrastructure projects, can be costly and limit the potential benefits of a new metro system. Toronto has faced criticism for delays in the past, but its current expansion plans show an understanding of the need to move swiftly to keep pace with the city’s needs. Toronto also has multiple downtowns apart from the main one such as downtown North York, which allows the city to distribute economic activity and reduce congestion in any one area, making it easier for residents to access jobs, services, and amenities. It also fosters more balanced urban growth, encouraging development in various neighbourhoods and enhancing the overall liveability of the city, including transit development. In other words, much of Toronto’s transit was built followed by these developments rather than just trying to address immediate capacity issues. I believe that areas such as Tallaght and Dundrum in Dublin have the potential to become their own downtowns as they already have lots of medium density, decent Luas connections, huge shopping centres and office spaces that have the potential to grow even more and truly become areas that give people in Dublin more downtown options than just the main city centre.

Downtown North York, Toronto

​For Dublin, timely construction of the Metro Dublin project is crucial. Rapid development will not only meet growing demand but will also send a strong message to residents that the city is committed to providing sustainable, long-term transportation solutions. By adopting Toronto's approach, Dublin can avoid becoming trapped in a cycle of playing catch-up with its transit needs.

As Dublin plans its future transit infrastructure, Toronto’s massive transit development offers a valuable blueprint. It is currently extending two subway lines, building a whole new one, building two new tram lines and building an extension for one of those tram lines even though the original line isn’t open yet. Metro Dublin, when expanded quickly and strategically, can provide Dublin with the transportation solutions it urgently needs. By building multiple lines efficiently and with foresight, Dublin has the potential to transform its urban mobility, reduce congestion, and create a more connected, sustainable city for the future.