Madam, - Colm McCarthy's sniping at the viability of Luas (The Irish Times, April 24th) is reminiscent of the hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth that accompanied the early years of the DART - it would never pay its way, forever be a drain on the public purse, etc., etc.
Who would now suggest that the DART should be shut down? Just look at the row when it was decided to cancel weekend services for a while, so that the system could be enlarged. DART has become a vital part of Dublin's transport system, and so will Luas.
If the Government wanted to invest for profit, it might have put its money into a chain of sweet shops, or buy-to-rent flats. Economists and others may need to be reminded that the primary purpose of the Luas is to help relieve the city's gridlock, which costs a billion a year.
From a transport planner's perspective, not enough money is going into greater Dublin's mass transit systems - when will the Kildare line be doubled, to relieve congestion on the Naas Road?
Sandyford to the Green in 22 minutes - the main problem will be over-crowding and lack of parking spaces. - Yours, etc.,
M.J. BOYLE, Butterfield Drive, Dublin 14.
Madam, - When the Luas was devised, were minds so fixated on the valid aim of improving transport in Dublin that no thought was paid to planting some trees along the line? Especially at this time of year, the green leaves would certainly enhance a grey concrete corridor. - Yours, etc.,
NIAMH MAC NAMARA, Eden Villas, Glasthule, Co Dublin.