Urgent: Dublin’s New Bus Stop Chair Sparks Controversy

UPDATE: A “bizarre” new seating arrangement at Dublin bus stops has ignited controversy, with critics labeling it as “hostile” and non-functional. Single chairs, positioned approximately six metres away from where buses typically open their doors, have been installed at various locations on the southside of the city, raising urgent questions about their purpose and design.

Authorities confirm that the National Transport Authority (NTA) provided funding to local councils for these new seating options. The NTA stated there are three available designs—one, two, or three-seater chairs—based on the width of the footpath. This decision comes after trials in 2023 in Wicklow and south Dublin, although specific feedback from disability user groups has not been disclosed.

Local Green Party councillor Robert Jones has expressed strong concerns, calling the chair an example of “hostile architecture,” which often aims to deter homeless individuals from resting in public spaces. He described the arrangement as “the lowest common denominator” in providing comfortable seating, questioning the logic behind a single chair located six metres from bus doors.

During a visit to one of the new chairs on Overend Avenue in Dundrum, a commuter remarked, “It’s bizarre,” noting that the bus stop is expected to get busier with the upcoming school term. With buses arriving every 15 minutes, he mentioned that standing passengers will not have to wait long for a seat.

Local councillors believe that planning permission is not required for the installation of a single chair, raising further questions about the decision-making process behind this design choice. Jones added, “The obvious question is, why a single seat? And why so far from the bus?”

Critics argue that this new seating does not align with the 2023 Dundrum local area plan, which aimed to create comfortable transport options and establish a local transport hub at the nearby Balally Luas stop. This hub was intended to enhance connections between bus lines and other transport options.

As the debate unfolds, commuters and locals express frustration over the impracticality of the new seating. The NTA’s plans for future installations remain to be seen, as the community awaits further developments in this ongoing controversy.

Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.