Labour pledges €1 bus fares to get Dublin moving
Issued : Friday 1 December, 2006
“Dublin has an atrocious traffic problem. The city experiences horrible congestion when it rains and minor traffic collisions causing major problems for everyone on the road. Average speeds in the city are 10 mph and peak time speeds can be as low as 6 mph and even 3 mph in pinch points,” Councillor Eric Byrne has said.
“The basic problem is the entirely inadequate public transportation system. Cars represent over 80 per cent of traffic crossings at the canals compared to the minuscule 2 per cent of buses. Estimates say that congestion costs Dublin over €60 million annually.”
“The Government has failed to meet the public’s need for reliable and efficient public transportation. With little development in the next 5-10 years, the city’s Transport 21 plan calls for no immediate solution to problem. The Government’s approach to bus services has been slow and nearly inept with no increase in Dublin Bus Fleet from 2001 to 2005.
“The only short-medium term solution to this problem is an improvement in Dublin’s bus services. There is a vital need to expand bus capacity and to make bus travel more efficient as well as financially appealing.
“Labour’s plan, Getting Dublin Moving, calls for a 50 per cent expansion of the Dublin Bus fleet which would significantly reduce waiting times and increase frequency. Labour will also complete Quality Bus Corridors and hence reducing journey times. The plan also involves the introduction of a €1 per trip fare for adults and 50c per trip fare for children. We also want to fast-track park and ride facilities on the outskirts with express Dublin services.
“Overall, we want to ensure that existing structures and integrity of Dublin Bus Network will be kept in place as well as having vastly expanded services in a more coordinated and efficient manner. The commuters of Dublin should not have to wait ten years for a better public transport system.”
