MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey has said that congestion charges will not be considered for Irish cities, especially Dublin, until proper alternatives have been put in place.
Mr Dempsey said yesterday that while he had no philosophical difficulty with the concept of congestion charges, it was premature to consider their introduction. Nor was he prepared to suggest a time frame, saying much depended on the time implementation of Transport 21.
The Minister was speaking at the launch of a consultation paper on sustainable transport and travel.
He said the document provided the next step in a long-term initiative to dissuade commuters from using cars, to encourage public transport, cycling and walking, to reduce substantially greenhouse emissions in the transport sector, and to ease traffic congestion in Dublin and other major centres.
"I know the public have ideas on how we can free up our cities from traffic congestion," said Mr Dempsey.
"I am committed to providing the necessary support to enhance alternative ways of travelling such as walking, cycling and increased use of public transport." The consultation document outlines the difficulties that Ireland will face if current trends are not reversed. With the population expected to exceed five million people, car ownership may increase from 1.8 million to 2.6 million by 2020.
In terms of quality of life, it will mean that average speed in Dublin during morning peak hour will drop from 13km/h to 8km/h by 2012. There will also be an equivalent increase in greenhouse gas emissions from transport, rising to 19 million tonnes.
That will be 265 per cent above 1990 levels. That is a multiple of 20 times the Kyoto target, which put emission at 13 per cent above 1990 levels. Mr Dempsey was at pains to point out that the consultation process was not merely about congestion charges.
The wide-ranging paper includes suggestions for alternative modes of transport, proper spatial planning, fuel and carbon levies; workplace parking charges as well as the use of hybrid and biofuel technology.
The document also outlined several charging schemes planned in other EU states. They include a proposal for road-pricing in the Netherlands that would charge motorists an average of €0.03 per km and a congestion charge of €0.11 per km.
It also stated that fuel prices for motorists remains the fifth cheapest in Europe.
The 60-page document gives examples of flexible working arrangements and home-working in Britain which have helped reduce the number of commuters travelling in and out of urban areas during the morning and evening peaks.
He said that while his own department was capable of suggesting solutions to all the questions, there was also an onus on citizens to accept responsibility for "significant changes in personal travel behaviour". The Minister said he would not increase the fleet in Dublin until he was satisfied that Dublin Bus was getting maximum capacity from its buses.
"I am not going to go out and buy another 300 buses if they are all parked in Parnell Square," he said.
Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party welcomed the consultation, saying congestion charges may be part of the mix in the future. "It is important that sustainability is integrated into transport decisions, rather than being 'bolted on' to existing strategies. The debate about public transport, cycling and walking is welcome, and we hope that it will lead to greater investment in these areas," he said.
THE VISION: for sustainable travel and transport
Shift to public transport, cycling and walking
Reductions in congestion and emissions
Car becomes the last resort
Larger, better bus services, metro, Transport 21
Implement National Spatial Strategy long-term
Emissions trading for aviation industry
More use of biofuels; hybrid vehicles
Car pooling; major park and ride measures
Congestion charges and road pricing
Workplace parking charges
What the Government aims to combat
Private cars may increase from 1.8 million to 2.6 million by 2020
Average speed in Dublin could drop from 13km/h to 8km/h by 2012
Greenhouse gas emissions from transport could be up to 19 million tonnes CO2 equivalent - or 265 per cent above 1990 levels.