MetroLink – it’s time for a rethink

Sir, – MetroLink is a black hole, sucking in resources that would be better allocated to extending the Luas network on heavy traffic routes throughout the Greater Dublin Area. Transport officials did not point out that MetroLink, if built, will be not be part of a network, as it will be completely separate to any other rail-based service. (“Estimated €450 million expected to have been spent on metro projects before MetroLink construction”, News, May 3rd).

In 1998, the Fianna Fáil-PD government decided, bizarrely, not to build a commuter light rail (now Luas) network. Instead, they built two separate lines through the centre of our capital city.

Since then, successive ministers for transport did not correct this basic mistake. Despite extending both Luas lines, they are still not interlinked for passenger services. Furthermore Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) does not have any plans to take that basic step for creating a network. Transport planners continue the distorted view that public transport can be enhanced without building out the Luas network, as originally proposed.

It is way past time to stop priming MetroLink, a €12 billion grand gesture that will not be interoperable with either Luas or Dart. Enhancing Dublin as a pleasant place in which to live and work should be inspired by places like Zurich which has a network of on-street Luas-like public transport services. – Yours, etc,