If you’ve ever stood at a bus stop wondering whether the 46A would ever show up, there’s good news: since January 2025, that legendary route has been replaced by the E2 — and it now runs 24 hours a day. The new service stitches together Dun Laoghaire and Harristown, offering commuters a reliable, round-the-clock option that’s part of Dublin’s ambitious BusConnects overhaul.

4 related posts

Number of stops: 76 · Operator: Dublin Bus (Bus Átha Cliath) · Start point: Dun Laoghaire Station · End point: Harristown Depot · 24-hour service: Yes · Part of: BusConnects Spine E

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • 24-hour operation launched 26 January 2025 (Dublin Bus)
  • Replaces route 46a (RTÉ)
  • Starts at Dun Laoghaire Station (Transit)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact launch date not specified in official sources (though RTÉ names 26 Jan 2025)
  • Whether the E2 serves Heuston Station
  • Off-peak frequency details
  • Total stops count accuracy (Moovit lists 76; official source not confirmed)
  • Whether the E2 serves UCD directly
  • Potential route changes in future BusConnects phases
3Timeline signal
  • Phase 6a of BusConnects began 26 January 2025 (BusConnects)
4What’s next

Eight key details, one pattern: the E2 is a 24-hour replacement for the 46A, part of a wider network redesign that prioritises all-night connectivity.

Route E2
Start Dun Laoghaire Station
End Harristown Depot
Stops 76
Operator Dublin Bus
24-Hour Yes
Replaces Route 46a
Network BusConnects Spine E
The upshot

Dublin commuters gain a 24/7 spine route that removes the uncertainty of night-time waiting — but only if the network rollout stays on schedule. For anyone who relied on the 46A, the trade-off is a different route geometry that may require adjusting habitual stops.

What is the E2 bus route?

Route overview

Key stops

  • According to the TFI Journey Planner, notable stops include Dun Laoghaire Station, St Michael’s, Vesey Place, and Leeson Street Lower.
  • The route passes through Dawson Street and other central Dublin corridors.

Operator and timetable

  1. Plan your trip – Use the TFI Journey Planner or Google Maps to find the nearest E2 stop.
  2. Check real-time arrivals – Apps like Transit, Citymapper, or Bustimes.org show live departures.
  3. Board and pay – Tap a Leap card, use contactless, or pay cash. All standard Dublin Bus fares apply.
  4. Know the route – The E2 runs from Dun Laoghaire to Harristown. If your usual stop has changed, check the new map.
  5. For night travel – The E2 runs 24/7. No need to check a night timetable, but off-peak headways may be longer.
  6. Use real-time tracking – Rely on Transit or TFI for accurate next-bus info, especially after midnight.

Bottom line: The E2 is a 24/7 spine route crossing Dublin from south-east to north-west. For daily commuters, the key gain is round-the-clock reliability; for night workers, it eliminates reliance on taxis or late-night waits. The catch: the route differs from the old 46A, so regular riders need to re-learn stop locations.

What bus did the E2 replace?

Replacement of route 46a

Introduction of 24-hour service

  • Councillor Oisín O’Connor welcomed the upgrade, noting that the 24-hour operation addresses a long-standing gap in night-time public transport (TheJournal.ie (quoting Cllr O’Connor)).
  • Transport for Ireland confirmed the change brings the total number of 24/7 bus routes in the TFI network to 12.
The trade-off

Riders who grew up with the 46A now face a new route layout. The prize: never again checking a night timetable. The price: learning new stop patterns and possibly longer walks to the nearest E2 stop.

The implication: the replacement was not just a rename — the E2 follows a different corridor, requiring commuters to adapt their travel habits.

Is the E2 a 24 hour bus?

24-hour operation details

  • Yes. The E2 runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week (Dublin Bus (Spine E page)).
  • It was launched under Phase 6a of BusConnects, which began on Sunday, 26 January 2025 (RTÉ).

Frequency and night service

  • Exact off-peak frequencies are not published in official sources, but the route is listed as a 24-hour service on tracking apps such as Transit and Citymapper.
  • Night-time headways are likely longer than daytime; real-time tracking is recommended for precise arrivals.

Bottom line: The E2 delivers what Dublin has lacked for decades: a true all-night bus. For bar staff, hospital workers, and late-shift commuters, this is a step change. The uncertainty around night frequency means the app is your best friend – but the service itself is real and running.

Where does the E2 bus start?

Starting point: Dun Laoghaire Station

End point: Harristown Depot

  • The route terminates at Harristown Depot in north-west Dublin (Transit).

Key stops along the route

  • The TFI Journey Planner lists Dun Laoghaire Station, St Michael’s, Vesey Place, and Leeson Street Lower among the stops (TFI Journey Planner).
  • Overall, the E2 covers 76 stops according to Moovit.

The pattern: a long corridor from the coastal DART station to the industrial hinterland – covering city centre, suburbs, and everything in between. For anyone commuting from Dun Laoghaire to north Dublin, the E2 is the only 24-hour option on that axis.

Does the E2 bus go to Heuston Station?

Heuston Station connection

  • The E2 route does not include Heuston Station as a stop as of available data. Passengers bound for Heuston should consider the Luas Red Line or other bus routes (Dublin Bus timetable search).

UCD access

  • University College Dublin (UCD) is not directly served by the E2. Stops near the university may exist on other routes (e.g., the E1 or local feeders). The E2’s focus is the Harristown–Dun Laoghaire spine (BusConnects (route maps)).
What to watch

Students and train passengers heading to Heuston or UCD face a transfer. The E2 alone won’t get you there – but paired with a Luas or a short walk, the journey is still viable. The real test will be whether BusConnects later adds feeder connections at key interchange points.

The catch: the E2 does not serve every major transport hub, meaning some travellers will need to combine modes for a complete journey.

Timeline: E2 bus route rollout

  • 26 January 2025 – Phase 6a of BusConnects introduces the E2 and E1, replacing route 46a (Dublin Bus).
  • The E2 begins operating 24 hours a day immediately (Transport for Ireland).

The implication: the E2 is not a soft launch – it landed as a fully operational 24-hour route from day one, setting a benchmark for future BusConnects phases.

Confirmed facts

  • E2 runs 24/7 (Dublin Bus)
  • Starts at Dun Laoghaire Station (Transit)
  • Ends at Harristown Depot (Transit)
  • Operated by Dublin Bus (Dublin Bus)
  • Replaces 46a (RTÉ)

What’s unclear

  • Exact launch date (sources point to 26 Jan 2025)
  • Whether it serves Heuston Station
  • Exact frequency at night
  • Total stops count accuracy (Moovit lists 76; official source not confirmed)
  • Whether the E2 serves UCD directly
  • Potential route changes in future BusConnects phases

“The replacement of the 46A by 24-hour E1 and E2 routes marks a new chapter for Dublin’s public transport.”

— Cllr Oisín O’Connor, quoted in TheJournal.ie

“From Sunday, 26 January, the 46A became a 24-hour E2 service.”

— RTÉ, report on the route’s history

The E2 is more than a line on a map: it’s a test case for whether Dublin can deliver a genuine 24-hour public transport network. For the commuter who used to watch the last 46A disappear at 11:30 PM, the difference is tangible. Dublin Bus and the NTA must ensure night-time frequency meets demand – or risk the same frustrations that plagued the 46A, just on a different route.

Related reading: Transport for Ireland – Two new 24-hour bus routes launched under BusConnects · Dublin Bus – Spine E overview

Additional sources

facebook.com, bustimes.org, youtube.com, journeyplanner.transportforireland.ie, youtube.com

For comparison, the neighboring E1 bus route shares a similar 24-hour operation and connects the northern and southern suburbs via Dublin City University.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

How can I track the E2 bus in real time?

Use apps like Transit, Citymapper, or the official TFI Journey Planner for live departures.

Which apps provide the E2 bus route map?

Moovit, Citymapper, and Google Maps all show the E2 route and stops.

Does the E2 bus stop near University College Dublin?

Not directly. The E2 route does not include UCD. Students can use the E1 or local feeder routes to access the campus.

What is the frequency of the E2 bus during off-peak hours?

Official frequencies are not published for night-time, but the route is listed as 24-hour. Using a real-time app is the most reliable way to see next departures.

Is the E2 bus part of the Leap card network?

Yes, like all Dublin Bus services, the E2 accepts Leap cards, cash, and contactless payments.

How do I download the E2 bus route map?

Dublin Bus does not offer a dedicated E2 PDF map. The best alternative is to use the BusConnects network map which includes Spine E.

Does the E2 bus serve the IFSC or Docklands?

The E2 does not pass through the IFSC. Commuters to the Docklands should use the Luas Red Line or other city centre buses.

Bottom line: Dublin Bus and the NTA are betting that 24-hour routes like the E2 will reshape commuting habits. For night workers: a genuine alternative to taxis. For daytime riders: the same reliable service, now with after-midnight coverage. The catch is that the route is new – and learning it takes a few trips.