A chara, - Once again, European Car-Free Day has ended up a dismal failure in Dublin, with a small minority of the population even aware of its passing. The relevant authorities have time and again proven that there is no will or ability to work together to demonstrate that you can get around a city as small as ours using public transport and other means.
Where was the incentive to take the bus for those who haven't used it in years? What did Dublin City Council and other local authorities do to increase awareness? Where were the gardaí who should have been pulling up drivers who insist on parking on cycle lanes and on cycle stopping zones at junctions?
Where was the Minster for Transport, who has repeatedly overlooked public transport funding whenever the money was being dished out and has left Ireland with one of the least funded public transport systems in Europe?
Margaret Thatcher once said that anyone who rides a bus to work after the age of 26 can count himself a failure. That opinion has apparently made its way into Ireland's transport policy (if, indeed, there is a policy). Of course, each agency will quote its own token efforts for the day and hypocritically blame other agencies for their lack of action. I'm sure the lack of traffic on Bull Island was very nice for the protected rabbits there but it didn't really make an impression on the consciousness of commuters anywhere.
European Car Free day should be the ideal occasion to showcase a country's transport strategy but in Ireland it has become Annual Missed Opportunity Day. - Is mise,
AIDAN LYNCH, Villa Bank, Phibsboro, Dublin 7.
Madam, - While Bus Éireann recognised European Car free Day 2004 by offering free services in Sligo, Westport and other places, the regular commuters of Ashbourne were seen leaving the bus stops and returning to their cars because of the inability of Bus Éireann to provide a service.
Perhaps next year, for European Car Free Day we will see the Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan - or preferably his successor - go to work on the bus from Ashbourne. At least for that one day we might have a reliable service. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN KING, Chairman, Combined Ashbourne, Residents' Associations, Ashbourne, Co Meath.
Madam, - I suppose the slightly inclement weather yesterday morning deterred many a driver from leaving the car at home. It did not deter me.
I thoroughly enjoyed my journey along the canal from Sally's Bridge, to Mount Street, arriving in Ballsbridge only a tad damp from the light drizzle that fell occasionally on the way. Doubtlessly, those unfortunate individuals inching along the same route, trapped in their vehicles, did not arrive at their destinations as chirpy and stress-free as I.
Shanks's Pony for me from now on, along with the purchase of a rain jacket. Is mise,
G. BARBER, Sundrive Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12.