Sir, – How dispiriting to see the National Transport Authority is sticking fast to its agenda of promoting the Metro North project (Home News, July 27th). It is becoming increasingly clear that this discredited project must be cancelled forthwith. At best, it is estimated it would cost €2.5 billion to build and would carry a mere 34 million passengers a year. If the finance is borrowed at a rate of interest of 4 per cent (a generous assumption), it is easily calculated that the average return ticket would cost almost €6 in interest alone. This compares to today’s fare of €8.20 for the most expensive day-return on the Dart.
The Metro North project is irresponsible, and its promotion is an excellent example of the feckless and self-serving decision-making that has brought this State to its present condition. – Yours, etc,