Sir, – Recent weeks have seen a further worsening of traffic congestion in Dublin, to the detriment of the regional economy and quality of life (“Pause offers possible route to settling bus row”, November 15th). Dublin needs increased capacity in public transport. Consequently, there should be more than enough demand to sustain an increase, not a reduction, in driver jobs in Dublin Bus, as well as among private operators. Providing additional services to meet demand should be the priority.
In my view, the National Transport Authority would be better engaged in seeking to increase bus-carrying capacity on high-demand corridors in and out of the city, including by licensing more private operators in regulated competition, rather than getting bogged down in a process of privatisation of existing orbital and local routes which would generate a lesser return in terms of tackling congestion. – Yours, etc,
Cllr WILLIAM LAVELLE,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – How do you get from Gorey, Co Wexford, to Tinahely, Co Wicklow, a distance of 16 miles, using public transport? Take a bus to Dublin 60 miles away, then take a bus back for another 65 miles, but don’t make any promises to be there at any particular time. Can you just imagine how brilliant the national transport service will be when it is privatised? – Yours, etc,
DAN McDONNELL,
Gorey,
Co Wexford.