Dublin traffic levels up 1% last year

The number of people coming into Dublin city centre each morning has increased for the second year in a row.

According to figures published today by the Transport Authority, there was a 1% increase in the total number of people coming into the city centre in 2012.

That is still down by 10.5% or 22,000 trips compared to the 2006 peak.

The Transport Authority puts this down to the general economic downturn and rise in unemployment.

The figures are drawn from the number of people crossing the canal cordons around Dublin, either by bus, car, walking, cyclists, taxi and commercial vehicles.

Taking these means of travel into account, there were 185,481 trips in 2012 down from the high of over 207,379 in 2006.

Bus accounted for 60% of all incoming commute trip.

Walking and cycling were also up with car trips down in 2012.