Tag Archives: traffic & transport

Local Issues

Proceeding with Metro North a ‘No-brainer’

Deputy Joan Burton recently met with officials from Fingal County Council, the Rail Procurement Agency and Dublin Corporation to discuss the status of Metro North, Metro West and the DART underground, all of which are central to the development of a comprehensive public transport system to serve West and North Dublin.

“This comes hot on the heels of reports in the Sunday newspapers that Colm McCarthy, head of ‘An Bord Snip Nua’, is opposed to proceeding with Metro North in given the current economic climate and the state of the public finances.

“In replies to parliamentary questions, it has emerged that some €60m has been allocated for preparatory work for Metro North during 2009, although this is likely to come in under budget due to delays in getting the project under way. Some €23m has been allocated to the DART underground for 2009 while €10 the Metro West project. It is clear from the Department of Transport that while Metro North and the DART underground are considered to be priority projects, but people living in West Dublin will be disappointed to learn that Metro West looks first in line for the chop.

“A lot of figures have been bandied about in relation to Metro North, with speculation that the total cost to the taxpayer could be in the region of €4-6bn. It has to be remembered that this total cost would be spread over a period of 25 years or so. Also, there is evidence that civil engineering projects have seen a 20% drop in tender prices over the last 18 months and it would be wise to lock in these savings while it is still possible. In actual fact, Metro North is only likely to cost somewhere in the region of €200 to €400m a year during construction.

“5-7,000 people will be directly employed on the project during construction with recent studies showing that such projects generally support more than twice as many jobs indirectly during the construction period. This could mean up to 25,000 new jobs created in Dublin as soon as the project gets the green light.

“Figures recently released to the Labour Party indicated that each person on the dole costs about €20,000 a year. By keeping even 15,000 people off the dole, giving Metro North the go-ahead could actually save the taxpayer €300m a year during construction, making the project broadly ‘revenue neutral’. Metro North is expected to support in the region of 37,000 jobs in the Lissenhall-Ballymun corridor once it is fully operational.

“For the moment, Metro North is still considered to be a priority project. Initial tenders have been received from four potential consortia to design, build and maintain the Metro under a Public Private Partnership arrangement. These are to be whittled down to two consortia who will be invited to submit a ‘best-and-final-offer’ later this year once An Bord Pleanála has completed its own study and set out any stipulations that need to be met.

“If the Government gives the go-ahead, securing finance from a reluctant banking sector could be critically important. The Rail Procurement Agency is actively engaging with both bidders and potential financiers to ensure the project can be launched without a hitch. The European Investment Bank is an active player in this process and may well be in a position to help secure financing for the private sector operators in what is a difficult funding environment.

“Fingal County Council are actively supporting the delivery of Metro North and have indicated that financing the project is not a major concern from their perspective as, over the life of the Metro, they would expect to recoup half of their end of the deal through the increased development levies which would accrue as a result of this valuable piece of infrastructure being built in Fingal.

“Metro North will be ‘shovel-ready’ at the end of 2009, and the Government should stick to their commitment and give the green light for construction to begin in early 2010. It will give a massive boost to employment in West and North Dublin in the shorter, will support the development of the city as a whole over the longer term and is likely to be ‘revenue neutral’, at worst to the taxpayer during construction.

“There are real concerns now that this project is in line for the chop. Even if it indefinitely long-fingered, there is a very real danger that it will never come to fruition as many of the consortia involved have already invested millions in the project just to complete the initial tender stage.

“Proceeding with Metro North as soon as possible really is a ‘no-brainer’.”


Local Issues, Transport

Fingal Traffic Gridlock Bad for Business

According to Fingal County Council’s 2008 Business & Employment survey, covering over 4,000 businesses, more than 7 in 10 businesses in the Fingal area are more optimistic for the future of their own business and the local Fingal economy than they are for the national economy.

Commenting on the survey, Deputy Joan Burton said “It’s great to see that so many businesses in Fingal are more optimistic for the future of their own business than they are for the national economy. I would like to think that this has more to do with Fingal being a good place to do business than with a widespread feeling that the Fianna Fáil government is driving the economy into a ditch.”

“Interestingly, 28.5% of businesses cited traffic, 24.8% cited lack of parking and 16.1% cited inadequate transport infrastructure as key disadvantages of locating a business in Fingal.

“It is quite clear from the survey results that transport issues, whether traffic gridlock, lack of parking or poor public transport are seriously bad for business in Fingal. Improving our public transport system to get more cars off the road is not just good for people and good for the environment – it is good for business.

“When I speak to business people in Dublin 15, whether they manage small businesses or multinationals, they always cite staff retention and transport as key issues. Frankly, attracting the very best minds in business means providing a better quality of life. People in business recognise this. People coming to Dublin 15 from all over Europe are horrified at how out-of-date our public transport is. In too many places, it is almost non-existent.

“The Labour Party has campaigned for years for quality, accessible and reliable public transport for Dublin 15. Projects like Metro West and bringing the DART to Clonsilla must be fast-tracked, not long fingered as the Government appears to be doing. I will continue to lobby intensively in the Dáil and in discussions with Dublin Bus and Iarnrod Eireann for the transport system that local people deserve. I hope that Fingal County Council take on board these survey results and take a serious look at how traffic flows might be improved in the area.”


Local Issues, Transport

Metro West Route Not Best Option for Dublin 15

“The Rail Procurement Agency, responsible for delivering the Metro West and Metro North projects, last week published its latest design update with an ‘emerging preferred route’. While this is said to be the result of a significant public consultation, it would be appear that the best route for Dublin 15 has not been chosen.

“Despite several submissions to the Rail Procurement Agency, including my own, they have chosen to ignore the needs of people living in some of the newer areas of Dublin 15. One viable alternative would have been to shift the route slightly to the West through Littllepace and back down the N3 to the Blanchardstown centre or linking up with Tyrellstown before continuing to the airport.

“Areas like Littlepace, Tyrellstown, Hartstown and Huntstown are grossly under-served by public transport at the moment. People are spending huge chunks of their daily lives commuting as a result. Metro West presents a historic opportunity to bring quality public transport to the door-steps of people in these areas. Unfortunately, this opportunity is not being grasped.

“In Clondalkin, the route has been changed so that a holy well can be preserved. I would have thought that a more fundamental route change to service under-served areas could also be seriously considered.

”It is not clear where the Metro West project lies in the Government’s list of priorities. In a reply to one of my recent parliamentary questions, the Minister for Transport confirmed that no construction activity is proposed for Metro West during 2009, but that an unspecified amount of funding will be allocated to the planning and design phase.

“The Government has not said how much funding has been allocated to the project, how much it will cost or when it is due to be completed. The first test of whether the 2015 deadline is pie-in-the-sky will be if the Railway Order application does indeed go to An Bord Pleanala is 2009 as promised. This has all the hallmarks of a project being put on an ever longer finger.

Note(1): Metro West Design Update, Rail Procurement Agency, 11th November 2008.


(Link to the Follow Document)
Metro West Design Update Nov 1th 2008.

“….crossing the River Liffey and Liffey Valley on a new bridge. The route continues on the northern bank of the Liffey Valley to Porterstown through lands at Castleknock Golf Club and Porterstown Park. The route then runs beside Porterstown Road and onto a new bridge structure at Diswellstown Road where it crosses the Royal Canal and the Maynooth Railway Line. A new stop will also be developed at Porterstown to facilitate interchange between Metro West and Iarnród Éireann Maynooth and Dunboyne services.

From the interchange stop at Porterstown the route continues to a stop at Millennium Park before turning eastwards to serve Blanchardstown Town Centre. It is intended that P&R will be provided as part of a redevelopment of adjacent lands at Blanchardstown. From the Blanchardstown Town Centre the route runs over the N3 to a stop at Tolka Valley, serving Blanchardstown Village and James Connolly Memorial Hospital before continuing northwards to run adjacent to Snugborough Road.

The route then serves the National Aquatic Centre (NAC), before reaching the junction with Ballycoolin Road from where it then turns to run eastward adjacent to the proposed upgraded road, to Ballycoolin stop. This stop will serve the Ballycollin Industrial estate and Blanchardstown Corporate Park.

The route then continues east adjacent to the Ballycoolin Road to a potential future stop at Abbottstown. From Abbottstown the route heads towards the M50 before crossing Cappagh Road to a new Cappagh stop provided to serve the industrial lands to the north of the M50, Cappagh Hospital, and residential lands to the south of the M50.

Note(2): Joan Burton’s recent parliamentary questions re: Metro West

Dáil Question
No: 201

*To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 5 November 2008, the amount of the expenditure allocated in his 2009 Departmental budget, either as capital or current expenditure to Metro West and the DART underground; if he will to provide a detailed breakdown of this budgeted expenditure in terms of preparatory, planning and design, pre-construction, construction and support work with a time-line for the delivery of both of these infrastructure projects; when it is expected that tenders for the construction of both of these infrastructure projects will be sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joan Burton.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 12th November, 2008.

Ref No: 40128/08
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Noel Dempsey)

REPLY

As I said in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 5 November 2008, provision has been made for expenditure next year on both the DART Underground and Metro West, which will facilitate significant progress
in planning and design. No construction activity is proposed during 2009. The precise allocation for the projects will be determined in the coming weeks taking account of the out-turn of expenditure in 2008 and this remains the position.

However, I can tell the Deputy that the provision will be sufficient to allow work to continue on both projects and that Iarnród Éireann and the RPA plan to be in a position to submit applications for Railway Orders for both projects by the end of 2009. In relation to tenders, I understand that the preparation of the tender documentation will be ongoing during the Railway Order process. However, at this stage it is too early to determine a date when final tenders for construction will be sought.

As I have stated previously, the start and completion dates of Transport 21 projects which have not yet commenced will be determined by the outcome of the statutory processes and the funding allocation available during the current difficult economic climate. The provision of increased capacity will be a key priority in determining public transport investment priorities in the period ahead.

Dáil Question
No: 179_

*To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the Government’s commitment to fund the development of the Metro West project; when construction of this project is due to commence; when construction of this project is due to be completed; when is it due to open; the amount it is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joan Burton.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 2nd July, 2008.

Ref No: 26287/08 Proof: 121

Answered by the Minister for Transport
Noel Dempsey

REPLY

The Government remains committed to the implementation of the Metro West project, which is contained in the Transport 21 strategy to transform the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area.

The emerging preferred route for Metro West was announced by the RPA in July 2007 following an extensive consultation process on route options which included the public, residents, property owners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

A further round of consultation is now underway to provide greater definition to the route. The current phase of the consultation process will conclude in the coming weeks and the RPA will then proceed with the preparation of a Railway Order application which will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála in 2009.

I am not in a position to publish the estimated capital cost of the Metro West project in advance of the completion of the public procurement process. The publication of such commercially sensitive information prior to the completion of the competitive procurement process would prejudice the State’s capacity to derive maximum value for money in respect of the project.

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Local Issues, Transport, Uncategorized

Dunboyne Rail Extension Welcome for Ongar-Hansfield Residents

Iarnród Eireann have announced that work has commenced on the 7.5km Dunboyne rail line with the service due to open in 2010. It will branch off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla with three new stations to be built at Hansfield, Pace and Dunboyne. The Pace station will comprise a 1,200 space Park & Ride facility.

“I tabled a parliamentary question (below) to the Minister last Thursday asking him to set out a precise timeline for the opening of this much-needed rail service. His response was to stage a media event this morning to announce the opening of the service in 2010.

“This announcement is welcome and over-due for people living in areas under-served by public transport, like Littlepace, Ongar and Hansfield. A further surge in population can be expected in this area when the Hansfield Strategic Development Zone comes to fruition, so this announcement does not come a moment too soon.

“Extending the rail line to Dunboyne, and eventually to Navan, will lead to a surge in demand for the service. I would certainly not like to see a situation where the frequency of peak-time trains from Maynooth is reduced if many of the trains from Dunboyne and beyond will be full before they even enter county Dublin.

“I have sought assurances from the Minister that the new Dunboyne service will not take away from the existing capacity and frequency on the Maynooth line. People are already travelling from the Clonsilla, Coolmine and Castleknock stations at peak time in severely overloaded carriages. There have been several instances of people feinting due to the overcrowding.

“It is essential that the rail inter-connector, now renamed ‘DART Underground’, can be urgently completed so that the Maynooth line can be upgraded to full DART standard without further delay. The demand is clearly there for a full DART service. The people of West Dublin have been made to wait for too long for a service that is taken for granted in other parts of the city.

“In a recent survey carried out by the Labour Party in Dublin 15 there was near unanimous agreement that the bus and rail systems must be expanded to cut traffic and meet the needs of our ever-growing local population. I am convinced that a great many more people would leave their car at home if they felt they had a reliable, accessible and affordable public transport option.

“In more difficult economic times, maintaining investment in public transport is essential not only to improve quality of life for tens of thousands of commuters, but to lay the foundations for our economic recovery. Inadequate infrastructure is cited by many Irish and foreign employers as a barrier to doing business here. Investing in public transport therefore brings a significant economic and social return. Indeed, it was disappointing to see that even with the Green Party in Government, the most recent budget prioritised road-building over public transport investment.”

Joan Burton’s parliamentary question, tabled 6 November 2008:

To ask the Minister for Transport to set out a precise time-frame for the opening of the first phase of the Navan rail line; when he expects both a) the station at Hansfield and b) the station, Park & Ride at Pace to open; the necessary increase in rolling stock for the implementation of this first phase; when it is expected that this extra rolling stock will become available; if tenders have been sought and accepted for both the rolling stock and the construction of the rail line and associated infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

According to Iarnrod Eireann:

Enabling works have commenced on the 7.5 kilometre rail line, which will branch off the Maynooth line at Clonsilla and terminate at the interchange with the M3 north of Dunboyne, at Pace. In addition, Iarnród Éireann confirmed that the main construction contract for the project has been signed, with SIAC Construction, who will commence construction on site at the start of December. The project is a key element of the Government’s Transport 21 programme and the National Development Plan.
The service is set to commence in 2010 and will be operated by Commuter Rolling stock. All services will terminate to Docklands Station. Initially the frequency of the service will be at 30 minute intervals at peak periods, as demand increases this will expand to 15 minute intervals at peak times. Off-peak services will be hourly.

The project includes:
§ Construction of 7.5km’s of double track between Clonsilla & Dunboyne (M3)
§ Installation of a new signalling and telecoms system
§ The Provision of three new stations at:
§ Hansfield – at the heart of the Hansfield Strategic Development Zone
§ Dunboyne – with a 300 space car park
§ Pace (M3) – with a major Park and Ride facility consisting of 1,200 spaces, making it the largest public transport park and ride facility in the country. It’s location will mean a wide catchment area of commuters from Co Meath, Louth and beyond will be able to avoid congestion and dramatically cut their commuting time to the city centre
§ Other infrastructure works, including bridge works, boundary treatments, drainage and earthworks will be provided.

Each of the stations will be equipped with lifts and footbridges and will be fully accessible for those with mobility and sensory impairments. These new stations will provide a frequent and reliable rail service for new and existing communities in Meath and will help relieve traffic congestion on the M3, one of the busiest routes in the country.

The Clonsilla to Navan line was closed in 1963. Dunboyne has not been served by rail since 1947 when the station closed.

Further Developments at Iarnród Éireann
The Clonsilla to Dunboyne (M3) project represents phase 1 of the reopening of the Navan rail line. Under Transport 21, rebuilding of the Pace-Navan section of the line will be complete by 2015. Alignment selection works are currently continuing in relation to this phase of the project.

CIÉ and Iarnród Éireann Chairman Dr John Lynch said “we are delighted to be commencing this key phase of the project to rebuild and reopen the line from Clonsilla to Dunboyne and the Pace M3 Park and Ride. Construction on this line, together with the upcoming four-tracking of the Kildare Route, Cork-Midleton line plans, Western Rail Corridor plans, and not to mention the DART Underground, means we are on the brink of the most significant expansion of our rail network in 100 years.”

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Local Issues, Transport

Labour’s Commuter Belt Survey Reveals Dublin 15 Angst

The Labour Party recently carried out a survey of over 1,300 people in Dublin commuter belt areas, including Dublin 15. The results showed that respondents in Dublin 15, like most people in the commuter belt, are none too happy with their lot.

Key findings of the survey include:

4 out of 5 people in Dublin 15 have seen no improvement or a disimprovement in their quality over the past 5 years.

Two thirds of people living in Dublin 15 believe the area is growing too fast.

Every single person surveyed in Dublin 15 said that expanding the commuter rail system was important while more than 4 in 5 said that expanding the bus system was important. Two thirds believe it is important to add more park-and-ride facilities while just over half feel that add more bus lanes is important.

Nearly half of respondents currently drove to work alone, while 1 in 4 took the train and only 1 respondent was in a car pool.

The average respondent took 55 minutes to get to work, 53 minutes to get home while some respondents recorded spending up to 4 hours commuting every day. The average journey times were 39 mins and 36 mins 5 years ago.

While 15% of respondents live within walking distance of a playground, 90% live within walking distance of a pub.

Commenting on the survey results, Deputy Joan Burton commented that “perhaps the most worrying finding of this survey is that 4 in 5 people living in Dublin 15 have either seen their quality of life get worse or they have seen no improvement in the last 5 years.

“During a time of relative affluence in this country, this is simply astounding. One of the big changes over that time has been sky-rocketing commute times with Dublin 15 based commuters now spending an average of nearly 2 hours per day – or 10 hours per week – commuting.

“This survey just confirms for me what I see on the ground in Dublin 15. I talk to locals on a daily basis about their concerns and the key issues of school places and public transport are always to the fore.

“Time spent commuting is time that could be spent with family, friends or doing something you care about. Many people cited lack of time as being one of the main reasons why they do not engage more fully with the communities in which they live, whether it be sports clubs, church groups or residents’ committees. Addressing this problem is one of the key quality of life challenges facing the current Government.

“Traffic gridlock is on every commuter’s mind. There is a common-sense consensus that our public transport system must be urgently expanded and upgraded.Delivering a reliable, accessible, affordable public transport system has long been one of my priorities at local level. It’s the least that Dublin 15 residents deserve.

“Half of Dublin 15 based respondents in our survey said that they drove to work alone. I’m convinced that many of these people would take the greener, better-value public transport if they felt they could rely on it.

“With 90% of respondents living within walking distance of a pub, and only 15% within walking distance of a playground, it’s clear that local planners have their priorities upside down.”


Local Issues, Transport

Coolmine Rail Commuters Hit With Parking Stealth Charge

According to media reports, CIE have awarded a contract to a private parking control and clamping company to introduce ‘pay and display’ parking at 37 train stations in the Greater Dublin Area, including Coolmine station. Under the scheme, commuters parking in Coolmine station would have to pay €2 a day to park their cars.

Deputy Burton commented. “For many years, the car park at Coolmine station has been packed to the gills from early morning until after the evening rush hour. Hundreds of locals and people from further afield use the facility on a daily basis, but will now be forced to pay in the order of €2 a day for the privilege. That adds up to €400 to €500 over a working year.

“This measure might be somewhat understandable if CIE had first built an underground car park to increase capacity. Without any improvement in the parking facilities on the immediate horizon, however, this is just a cynical money grab at a time when ordinary people are already feeling the pinch from rising prices across the board.

“If these measures go forward as proposed, the Government must look urgently at softening the financial blow by extending the tax-saver commuter ticket scheme to cover these parking charges.

“I would now be worried that people will be discouraged from using the Coolmine car park and that local estates would be clogged up with ever more cars. Many of these estates have effectively turned into free car parks during the day already, much to the annoyance of local residents. Fingal County Council must sit down with CIE and work out a solution to this ongoing problem and, in the first instance, ensure the problem doesn’t get worse as a result of these parking charges.

“With packed trains, insufficient frequency and now this stealth charge, there is a danger that people will be put off using public transport altogether. This is not in anyone’s interests, least of all CIE.

“Many more people would leave their cars at home if they felt they had a viable, affordable and accessible public transport option. CIE’s action really strikes me as cutting off their nose to spite their face.”


Local Issues, Transport

Minister Puts up Roadblock to Better Dublin 15 Bus Service

In a recent meeting with representatives from Dublin Bus, Deputy Joan Burton has learned that the strict interpretation of competition rules by the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, has cast doubt on a whole series of improvements to the Dublin Bus service in Dublin 15.

Deputy Burton commented “I was shocked to hear that much needed and long awaited improvements to the Dublin 15 bus service have been thrown into doubt because of Minister Dempsey’s ideologically motivated interpretation of competition rules. Over the past year, Dublin Bus has been carrying out a root-and-branch analysis of its Dublin 15 network with a view to making significant improvements. Given the amount of housing development in the area over the last decade, this is not before time.”

“There is currently a private operator running a popular and valuable hourly service to the airport and there is no suggestion that Dublin Bus is trying to compete with the airport route. However, there may be some element of overlap along a very small section of one of the proposed new Dublin Bus routes. I understand that the Minister has rejected the Dublin Bus application to extend one of its routes due to this small overlap with the private operator’s route even though they are clearly not in direct competition.”

“The net effect of this decision goes beyond simply the single Dublin Bus route extension. This extension would have freed up more buses to increase frequency on the 70 and 270 routes for a start. The Minister’s decision will discommode a significant number of people merely for the sake of protecting a private operator from possible, minimal impact. In fact, I am informed that the private operator in question has not even made an issue of this, which would give an indication of the low level of potential impact the changes could have on that business.”

“This situation comes hot on the heels of a similarly bizarre situation where Dublin Bus was initially barred from running certain express buses through the Dublin Port Tunnel, even though they were not in direct competition with a private operator along most of the route. Fortunately for the people of River Valley in Swords, the Minister has come to his senses in recent weeks and has decided to allow these buses to use the tunnel. I would now call on him to review his potentially far-reaching decision with respect to Dublin 15.”

“I find it baffling that we have a Minister in charge of our public transport system that doesn’t seem to believe in the concept of public transport. Most people don’t really care whether it is a public or private operator who is providing the bus service as long as that service is frequent, reliable, accessible and affordable. If people had such an option, I’m convinced that many would happily leave their car at home. In this instance, the Minister’s actions are completely at odds with the stated Government policy of encouraging increased use of public transport.”


Local Issues, Transport

Campaigning pays off as 41X allowed to use Port Tunnel

Deputy Joan Burton has been advised by Dublin Bus that the Department of Transport has today agreed, after sustained political and grassroots pressure, to allow the 41X to run through the Dublin Port Tunnel, cutting upwards of half an hour from the journey time to the city centre. Swords Manor and Swords Manor/Glen Ellen departures will operate via Seatown Road. River Valley departures will pick up passengers from Forest Road. 41X services will not serve Main Street Swords.

Reacting to the news, Deputy Burton said “I’m glad to see that the Minister for Transport has finally come to his senses and allowed the 41X service to run through the Port Tunnel. This could have been done months ago with the stroke of a pen, but it took sustained pressure from local residents to make the Minister see the light. This is an issue which I have raised on numerous occasions in the Dáil over the last six months, as recently as last week, and I’m delighted to see that River Valley based commuters have finally got some satisfaction.”

“My understanding is that Dublin Bus had sought to run extra peak time services on the 41X route to fulfil existing and future demand. Unfortunately, this improved frequency has not been approved. It is clear to me that many people would leave their car at home if they felt that there was a viable public transport alternative. I welcome the opening up of the Port Tunnel as an important step which could take upwards of half an hour off the commute time to the city centre., but I will continue campaigning for a quality transport system, including a more frequent 41X service, for the people of Swords-River Valley. “

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Local Issues, Transport

Burton Challenges Dempsey in Dáil on 41X using Port Tunnel

Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Deputy Joan Burton said “Dublin Bus is not currently using the Port Tunnel for the Swords 41X route, from the Highfield-Forest Road area. A simple measure, concerning which the Minister has simply sat on his hands, would be to give a licence to these buses to come through the Dublin Port tunnel that was built at enormous cost and paid in full by the taxpayer. I would not have any difficulty with private buses using the tunnel but it is barred to Dublin Bus’ 41X route”.

“Minister Dempsey has powers under the relevant Transport Acts going back to the 1930s to grant the right to Dublin Bus to run the 41X through the tunnel. However, presumably in order to develop the private sector and give it an extra advantage, the Minister is barring Dublin Bus from doing so.”

“The net result is that commuters who live in the Forest Road and Highfield areas of Swords very often face an extra commute of half an hour minimum and, at busy times, their journey time from Swords to the city centre is extended by anything up to an hour and a quarter. If the Minister is committed to fair competition between private and public transport, he would permit access to a tunnel that was paid for by the commuter and the taxpayer. His partisan approach in allowing only the private sector to use the tunnel on this route is quite disappointing.”

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Local Issues, Transport, Uncategorized

Impressive Attendance at Transport Meeting Shows Hunger for Improved Public Transport in Dublin 15

Deputy Joan Burton, Cllr. Michael O’Donovan and Cllr. Peggy Hamill yesterday hosted a public transport meeting in ‘The Paddocks’, Littlepace with over 70 members of the public in attendance. The meeting was addressed by representatives from the Rail Procurement Agency (Metro West), Iarnr?d Eireann and Dublin Bus. This was followed by a lively question and answer session with over 20 speakers from the floor.

Commuters were pleading for urgent action to be taken to tackle the ongoing problem of overcrowding on trains. Making all trains on the Maynooth line 8 carriage trains at peak time was seen as a priority, while Deputy Burton said that the medium term aim should be for 10 or 12 carriage trains like the DART and that she will continue campaigning for the upgrade of the Maynooth line to a full DART service. It was explained that the Government had not invested enough in new rolling stock, limiting the capacity of peak time trains.

People from the Ongar and Littlepace areas spoke of the need for the rail spur to Hansfield / Pace established as a matter of priority, even before the full length of the route to Dunboyne is opened. At the moment they have to walk a half hour or more to Clonsilla station.

There were many impassioned comments about the state of our bus service with people clearly frustrated with the long journey times to town. People feel like they live on the bus! Concerns were expressed about the proposed move of the 37 terminus to the Blanchardstown Town Centre. People spoke of the need for more express services to the city centre and the need to avoid traffic bottlenecks such as Blackhorse Avenue, Castleknock, Prussia St. and Aughrim St. Questions were posed about the Transport Minister’s decision to indefinitely postpone the purchase of 300 new buses, especially when there were Quality Bus Corridors in Dublin 15 that didn’t have enough buses to run on them to make them worthwhile.

People spoke about the bizarre situation where road space is being given up for bus corridors, but money is not being provided to run buses in them. There’s a clear lack of joined-up thinking there and this needs to change.

The representative from Dublin Bus spoke about improvements to Dublin 15 bus services which are expected to come on stream over the summer. All these services will be kept under review so that everyone in Dublin 15 can reap the benefit.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Burton said “These meetings are useful for gauging the public’s appetite for public transport. Based on the large and vocal attendance last night, hunger continues unabated for a reliable and accessible public transport system. While there have been some improvements recently, we have not seen anything like the investment necessary to meet the needs of a growing Dublin 15 population. More people would leave their cars at home if they felt they could rely on the bus being on time, being able to get a place on the train or get to the airport without going around the world.

“I was delighted to hear the Metro West project manager outline the timeline for putting this infrastructure in place, with 2015 being the target completion date. There are clearly issues to be overcome in terms of identifying a route that is acceptable to all those affected, but having a light-rail link to the airport will greatly add to the attractiveness of Dublin 15 as a business and employment location. I have called the Rail Procurement Agency to re-examine the possibility of shifting the route alignment to the West to serve areas like Ongar, Tyrellstown, and Littlepace which are currently underserved by public transport. I look forward to engaging with the RPA on behalf of local residents to ensure that all outstanding issues can be satisfactorily overcome.

“I will continue to press the Minister for Transport, Iarnród Eireann, the Rail Procurement Agency and Dublin Bus for an improved and integrated bus & rail system for the people of Dublin West. I would encourage any people wishing to highlight transport issues to get in touch with me by phone, email or letter.”

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