Sir, - May I presume to (a) agree with Dr Garret FitzGerald that LRT into and across the city centre would cause chaos (it was bad enough in 1937/41 as I rode a bicycle to and from work daily, Harcourt Street/Glasnevin, with trams battling and queuing for priority); and (b) to disagree (and also with Robert Molloy, TD) about an underground system. This would be ultra expensive, potentially structurally damaging, user friendly to muggers, beggars, touchers, prostitutes, drug pushers/users and undesirables generally.
Suggestions by many for a fast, all road service using light buses to and from Cabinteely, Tallaght and the airport via Ballymun, appear to have been overruled by the Government, and also by experts who know better - or do they? This mode of transportation, on reserved lanes with extra vehicles to and from halfway points at peak periods, could have avoided the city centre and quays completely, turning variously Dawson Street/Kildare Street, South Great Georges Street/Patrick Street/clockwise around Parnell Square.
Have the consultants and transport management experts not realised that the greatest enemy of, and threat to, LRT is the motor trade? Manufacturers, distributors and retailers are forever engaged in spending vast sums on advertising the newer, larger, faster, sleeker models, and will surely increase their expenditure and efforts as becomes necessary.
The outcome? "My dear chap/ fellow/girl/woman - expect me to leave the new car in that shambles outside Dundrum/in Tallaght/in Ballymun - and take a - a - tram?? You must be mad!!" -Yours, etc.,
"Abercorn",
Dublin 18.