Cullen needs more than glossy
brochure
- to get the traffic moving
RECENTLY I received a glossy document paid for, I assume,
by taxpayers and signed by Transport Minister Martin
Cullen. In it he declared "we're working together to keep
Dublin moving" during this holiday period.
He also offered the public "additional travelling options
and a more streamlined approach to traffic management
during the festive season".
Even if you believe this, the question arises as to why
we have to endure less streamlined traffic management
with fewer options during the rest of the year. I'm
afraid Mr. Cullen's assurances on keeping traffic moving
are about as believable as his assurances that the
proposed e-voting system was going to work. All he has
done so far is to announce, with a big PR fanfare,
expensive long-term plans for Dublin's traffic and to
promise 100 extra buses. This might be helpful in an
election context, but will not solve the traffic
problems.
Given that a few workers digging a hole can cause traffic
gridlock over a wide area in Dublin in one afternoon,
long-term plans are just a laugh. And since 60% of car
drivers surveyed said more frequent bus services were
needed, 100 extra new buses are only a drop in the ocean.
What we need urgently is a major increase in new buses
and new bus lanes. Half of all car users say they would
not use buses under any circumstances, so a hefty
congestion charge on motorists will be necessary.
Unless Mr. Cullen introduces these simple, inexpensive
measures, announcements of long-term plans in glossy
brochures will be seen for what they are - PR exercises
at taxpayers' expense.
Anthony Leavy,
1 Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
© The Irish Examiner, 29th. December 2006.
