Dublin Commute: Car vs Bus vs Bike – Rush Hour Results
Dublin commuters faced starkly different journeys during Tuesday morning’s rush hour, according to a test undertaken by RTÉ News. A reporter traveling by car took over an hour and twenty minutes to reach St Stephen’s Green from Woodstown Shopping Centre in Knocklyon, while a cyclist completed the same route in approximately 40 minutes and a bus passenger arrived in just over an hour.
The experiment, involving RTÉ News reporters Maggie Doyle (car), Colman O’Sullivan (bicycle), and Barry Gallagher (bus), highlighted the significant disparities in travel times and experiences across different modes of transport. Doyle’s journey was the longest, hampered by heavy traffic through Templeogue, Rathfarnham, and Rathgar. Her sat-nav repeatedly rerouted her through residential areas, which ultimately became congested as well.
“I still arrived last – maybe the most comfortable, having been in my car seat for the duration – but it was the slowest and most expensive commute,” Doyle reported.
O’Sullivan’s bicycle journey proved the fastest, though not without its challenges. Segregated cycle lanes along the Dodder Greenway provided a pleasant start, but conditions deteriorated when navigating Terenure and Rathmines, where cyclists were forced to share the road with cars, and buses. “It definitely wouldn’t pass the test of ‘would you let your ten year old cycle here?’” O’Sullivan stated, emphasizing the require for safer cycling infrastructure. He completed the journey in around 45 minutes, including time for function-related stops, and noted the benefits of an e-bike for tackling hills.
Gallagher’s bus journey, utilizing one of Dublin’s new BusConnects routes (F1, launched in October 2023), initially offered a comfortable experience. However, the route became overcrowded in Terenure, with passengers being refused entry at multiple stops. A key factor contributing to delays was the lack of dedicated bus lanes between Knocklyon and Harold’s Cross, leaving the bus vulnerable to general traffic congestion. Dublin City Council recently stalled plans for a €100 million redevelopment of St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, a project that could potentially impact bus routes in the area.
The BusConnects network, designed to improve public transport connectivity, is currently facing pressure due to record passenger numbers and ongoing concerns about delays and route changes. Despite these challenges, Gallagher’s overall journey time was one hour and two minutes, falling short of O’Sullivan’s by almost 20 minutes.
The experiment underscores the ongoing debate surrounding transport infrastructure in Dublin. While progress has been made in certain areas, such as the development of greenways, significant improvements are needed to ensure safe and efficient commutes for cyclists and bus passengers. The Council planner’s report, as reported on February 18, 2026, welcomed and supported the principle to rejuvenate the St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, but also acknowledged the current centre’s shortcomings in retail configuration.
The findings raise questions about the long-term sustainability of relying on private vehicles for commuting in Dublin, and the urgent need for investment in public transport and cycling infrastructure to alleviate congestion and improve the overall commuting experience.