Wheelchair accessibility on public transport in Dublin

Access to public transport in Dublin for wheelchair users or those with a mobility impairment is generally good, but there are some important things to be aware of before travel. In this section of the site we aim to provide detailed information about accessibility on all modes of Dublin public transport, all in one place. Read on for accessibility information on Dublin’s buses, trains and trams.

Buses

Dublin Bus

The main provider of bus services in Dublin, the publicly-owned Dublin Bus, uses low-floor, wheelchair-accessible buses on all its routes.

Additionally, Dublin Bus runs a travel assistance scheme to help those with a mobility impairment to travel around Dublin using either bus, train or tram. An assistant can accompany you the first few times you travel, and give you advice on planning a journey.

The Travel Assistance Scheme is free and is for people aged 18 or over. You can use it Monday to Friday between 08:00hrs and 18:00hrs. To find out more about this service, phone (01) 703 3204 or email customer.comment@dublinbus.ie.

More information about accessibility is available on the Dublin Bus website, or you can call the company’s Access Officer on (01) 873 4222 with any queries you may have.

Go-Ahead

Recently the Government decided to privatise some Dublin bus routes, outsourcing several Dublin bus routes to a UK company called Go-Ahead. This company’s buses are wheelchair accessible too and you can find out more about their travel assistance for disabled passengers by calling 0818 80 40 71, emailing customercomment@goaheadireland.ie or visiting the accessibility section of their website.

Bus Eireann

Bus Eireann is Ireland’s main provider of long-distance coach services, many of which operate in the Greater Dublin area. Although many of its services are fully wheelchair accessible, not all are, so it is advisable to contact the company in advance of travel if you have a mobility impairment. Its customer number is 1850 836 611.

You can view Bus Eireann’s full accessibility information here.

Aircoach

Aircoach is the main operator of bus services between Dublin Airport and the City Centre — their buses are wheelchair accessible (accomodating 1 wheelchair user at a time). Advance notice of travel is required however if you are a wheelchair user — you can learn more about this here.

Other bus operators

There are several private companies that operate bus services within the Greater Dublin area, but not all provide fully accessible travel. A full list of operators can be seen on Transport for Ireland’s accessible travel web page (click the ‘bus’ option) — in most cases, you will need to contact the operator in question in advance of travel to find out what your options are.

Trains

Trains in Dublin are wheelchair accessible, as are most of the stations. Staff can usually assist with the boarding of trains via the provision of wheelchair ramps too.

However, depending on station staffing levels, help is not always at hand. Irish Rail therefore ask those with a mobility impairment to contact them in advance of travel to ensure that full support with your journey is provided. You can do so by emailing access@irishrail.ie or calling (01) 836 6222 (Monday - Friday 08:30-18:00hrs excluding public holidays).

For a quick idea of which stations may cause issues for those with a mobility impairment, you can download our Dublin train map — the stations marked with a steps icon on the map are not step or gate free.

For more detailed information about station accessibility, including the operational status of lifts and wheelchair ramp availability, you can check Irish Rail’s travel information web page — use the ‘Find a Station’ box to search for a station, and then click ‘Accessibility and Station Access.’ Alternatively, you can visit Irish Rail’s main accessibility page.

Trams (‘Luas’)

Dublin’s tram system, ‘Luas,’ has been designed to be fully accessible and it is the easiest mode of transport in Dublin to use if you have a mobility impairment.

If you would like assistance with your journey you can contact Luas Customer Care at 0818 300 604 or email info@luas.ie. The Luas team will advise you on your travel and arrange for a member of staff to accompany you on your journey should you wish.

More information about accessibility on Dublin’s trams is available on the Luas accessibility web page.

See also