Dublin commuters faced major travel disruption today as a Luas power failure and severe motorway congestion combined to create one of the most challenging mornings of the year. Thousands relying on public transport or road travel were met with delays, partial service shutdowns, and heavy traffic across multiple key routes.
The problems began early in the morning, when a sudden power fault halted large portions of the Luas network. At the same time, motorway collisions and breakdowns caused traffic to grind to a halt on the M50 and several major connecting roads. Authorities advised commuters to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative transport options throughout the day.
Luas Power Failure Sparks Major Tram Disruptions
A significant power fault brought long stretches of the Luas Green and Red Lines to a standstill. The Green Line operated only between Sandyford and Brides Glen, leaving a long central gap from Sandyford to Broombridge without service. This forced thousands to look for buses, taxis, or rideshares, particularly those heading into the city centre or traveling towards Dublin’s northside.
The Red Line, which normally connects Tallaght and Saggart to the Docklands, also faced a large service cut. Trams ran only between Tallaght/Saggart and Smithfield. The busy stretch from Smithfield to The Point and Connolly Station remained fully suspended. This left commuters in the east of the city with limited options, especially during the morning peak.
Transport officials confirmed that crews were working to restore full power but warned that services would remain limited until repairs were complete. Commuters who rely heavily on Luas connectivity between commercial districts, residential areas, and travel hubs experienced long delays and crowding at bus stops.
M50 Motorway Gridlock Compounds the Morning Rush
While tram services struggled, Dublin’s M50 motorway experienced major congestion due to high traffic volumes and multiple incidents. Traffic slowed to a crawl across several key junctions.
The worst delays were reported at:
- J5 Finglas
- J9 Red Cow
- J10 Ballymount
- J4 Ballymun (Northbound)
Drivers described long queues and extended journey times, with many attributing the increased traffic to commuters abandoning the disrupted Luas network.
The M50, often one of the busiest routes in Ireland, saw heavier volumes than usual as more people turned to their cars to avoid public transport delays. Congestion built rapidly through the morning, creating tailbacks that affected other major routes feeding into the motorway.
Collisions and Breakdowns Add to Widespread Traffic Delays
Additional incidents heightened the pressure on Dublin’s road network. A collision on the M1 southbound between J3 Swords and J2 Dublin Airport blocked the left lane and hard shoulder, slowing vehicles heading towards the airport. Early morning travellers faced uncertainty as they attempted to reach check-in on time.
A breakdown on the M50 Northbound near J11 Tallaght created further obstruction. With already heavy traffic on the motorway, the halted vehicle intensified bottlenecks, delaying drivers during one of the busiest periods of the day.
Emergency crews worked quickly to clear the affected lanes, but the build-up of traffic continued to ripple across surrounding roads.
City Roads Struggle Under Overflow Traffic
With both Luas services and motorways under pressure, many drivers tried to divert through local roads. This led to additional congestion across several key urban routes. Heavy traffic was reported on:
- Sean Moore Road
- Phibsborough Road
- Stillorgan Road (towards Donnybrook)
- Ratoath Road
- Navan Road
- Fairview
- Leopardstown Road
These areas saw long queues as drivers attempted to bypass major motorways and reach workplaces, schools, and public transport connections.
What Commuters Can Do: Practical Travel Advice
With so many overlapping disruptions, officials urged commuters to adjust their travel plans and use alternative options where possible. Travel experts suggested several ways to reduce delays:
Use Alternative Public Transport
Dublin Bus and DART services remained stable and offered the most reliable alternatives for many commuters. These services operated at regular frequency and covered key routes affected by the Luas outage.
Check Real-Time Updates
Monitoring live updates from transport authorities can help travellers avoid areas with heavy congestion or sudden closures. Staying informed allows commuters to change routes quickly when needed.
Avoid the M50 During Peak Hours
With ongoing incidents and spillover traffic, the M50 experienced severe delays that may continue into later periods. Using secondary routes or delaying travel could reduce journey times.
Travel Outside Rush Hours
Commuters with flexible schedules were encouraged to leave earlier or later to avoid the heaviest congestion.
Consider Carpooling
Sharing rides reduces the number of vehicles on the road and helps ease the load on major routes during peak periods.
Outlook for the Rest of the Day
Luas teams continued to work on restoring power, though no confirmed timeline was provided. Authorities expect traffic to remain heavy throughout the day, especially during evening rush hour, as commuters return home using limited transport options.
With public transport interruptions and multiple road incidents affecting movement throughout Dublin, officials advised travellers to stay flexible, patient, and updated.
The city is expected to resume normal flow once repairs are complete and roads clear, but for now, commuters are urged to plan ahead and allow additional time for essential journeys.
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