Sir, – It is with deep regret that I learn the Government is planning to shelve plans for Dart Underground ("Government abandons Dart Underground project", September 8th). In one stroke, Dart Underground would deliver Dublin a high-capacity, integrated, coherent public transport system, which could easily be extended to the airport via a Dart spur. I had hoped that with the upturn in the economy, funds could be found for this vital piece of transport infrastructure.
The Minister for Transport has instead opted for a completely unsuitable Luas connection to the airport. The published route for this line shows a stop located remotely from the terminals, at the entrance to the airport. A busy commuter Luas line is poorly equipped to handle large numbers of airport passengers, and compared to the Dart, the service will be low speed and low capacity.
Every year that goes by without Dart Underground being built brings social and economic costs to Dublin. This decision leads me to believe that the Government has no ambition or vision when it comes to public transport. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN WALL,
Dublin 2.
A chara, – I read with dismay that the Government has decided to not proceed with building the Dart Underground project.
It could be argued that there is not enough money to build the Dart Underground but it may cost us longer in the future by not developing the railway network properly. – Is mise,
SEANÁN Ó COISTÍN,
An Nás,
Co Chill Dara.