Madam, - Given the recent deterioration in the public finances and the projected €3.1 billion cost of the Dublin Airport metro, might I put forward an alternative suggestion? Build a bus-tram from the airport via the port tunnel into the city. Bus-trams are basically Luas-like trams that run on rubber wheels rather than steel rails. They were pioneered in the Brazilian city of Curitiba, which is regarded as a model for modern urban transport.
Here is how it would work. The bus trams would run from the airport, across the long-term car park and on to the M1 via a dedicated interchange. From there they would pass through the Port Tunnel to emerge in the port. A quick loop back would take them to within 100 yards of the Dart line, where a new Dart station could be built to facilitate integration.
From there the bus-trams could run through the port, close to the Point, where they would integrate with the Tallaght Luas line, and then over a dedicated lifting bridge that spans both the Liffey and the Dodder to the south side of the quays. Then it is a question of picking a path through the city to Pearse Station and then on to Stephen's Green for a link with the Sandyford Luas line - thereby saving the €300 million cost of linking up the two Luas lines also.
So, to summarise: for the price of one small motorway interchange, one new Dart Station, one new bridge and some extra bus lanes, we could get an integrated transport system for Dublin — and put the €800 million Port Tunnel to better use. - Yours, etc,
SHANE HAYES,
Shankill,
Co. Dublin.