Sir, - Rome and other European cities have bus lanes, used, only by buses, taxis and other vehicles in emergencies. Buses are frequent and move with surprising speed through ancient, narrow streets providing excellent public transport.
If we were to adopt real bus lanes on all significant routes in Dublin, carefully monitored and with an automatic fine of £1,000 for any incursion by a car, we could transform the speed and effectiveness of our public transport. An increased bus fleet, travelling unimpeded on empty bus lanes from the centre to the suburbs, could make an overground rail system such as Luas unnecessary. Such bus lanes would have the following advantages:
1. They could be introduced with very little cost.
2. They need not occupy any more space than rail tracks.
3. They could easily be altered, or terminated.
4. They would involve no digging, so no chaos.
5. The money saved could be used to extend the Dart to Ballymun, or anywhere else thought desirable.
Would it not be worthwhile devising a system of carefully chosen and rigorously controlled bus lanes before paralysing the city centre with excavations? If within six months the bus lanes proved inadequate, either an overground, or underground, rail system could be begun. Yours, etc.,
Rossmore Road,
Templeogue, Dublin 6W.