Sir, – It was with incredulity that I read the recent comments of Minister of State Alan Kelly (Home News, December 12th). His opinion that the biggest impediment to the growth of public transport in Ireland is the snobbery of the middle-classes is without basis.
Perhaps the Minister could more credibly blame the numeracy skills of the Irish public.
A return journey on Dublin Bus to Dundrum Town Centre, the bastion of middle-classness, from the Northside of the city for two adults and two children costs an exorbitant €31.20 in exact change, no notes please. The Leap card negates the requirement to have a bag of change and is slightly cheaper coming in at €26.20. Car-parking for three hours in Dundrum Town Centre car park is €2.
The sums don’t add up and perhaps Mr Kelly should instead blame the Minister for Education for teaching us all so well. – Yours, etc,
RONAN CLARKE,
Annamoe Park,
Cabra,
Dublin 7.
Sir, – Minister of State, Alan Kelly, tells us (Home News, December 12th) that he has no doubt that middle-class perceptions are holding back bus usage.
In terms of my family background and personal income, I am presumably a member of the class concerned. However, I have been a frequent and regular user of our bus service since childhood and, now that my age has qualified me for a travel pass, I have no doubt that I will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Rather than being a fretful driver through city traffic, this has allowed me the luxury of reading my Irish Times, rubbing the steam off the window to see where we are, periods of quiet contemplation and even short and interesting conversations with complete strangers. Surprisingly, in all of those years, I have never encountered a Government Minister on a bus. Or even a Minister of State. – Yours, etc,
AODH Ó DOMHNAILL,
Green Road,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.