A new analysis by Conor O’Driscoll (University of Groningen) and Kevin Credit (ADAPT, Maynooth University) sheds light on the true cost of commuting in Dublin. Their study examines how different environments in Dublin impact travel costs for commuters, taking into account not only the price of transportation but also the opportunity cost of travel time and per-km vehicle ownership and maintenance costs.
The research focuses on the Dublin Metropolitan Area, analysing commuter “flows” – the journey patterns from residential to workplace electoral divisions. These flows are mapped to relevant transport networks, allowing for a comprehensive calculation of costs, factoring in congestion, infrastructure, and public transport service frequency.
Their findings provide policymakers with valuable insights into how land use and transport policies affect travel behaviour and costs. For those interested, this analysis is now available on the RTÉ Brainstorm podcast including platforms Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify or access here.
