Sir, - Contrary to the beliefs of Kevin Ryan (June 15th), privatisation of the public transport system will not be the panacea that cures all ills. The most immediate example that springs to mind is the now privatised "public" transport in Britain, which is slow, costly to passengers, dirty and on many routes runs to an infrequent timetable that does not suit the majority of users.
Experience has shown that private companies cherry pick the best and most profitable routes and simply ignore the routes that will not make a profit, leaving a patchwork service where the few are benefited and the many are not.
Dublin's transportation problems would be best solved by proper funding of the services instead of the pitiful 4.4 per cent subsidy which is currently the case and which is among the lowest in Europe. Even in London the bus service has a 16 per cent subsidy and in Athens the figure is more than 50 per cent. Were Dublin Bus subsidised to this degree we could have a modern, fast, clean and efficient service which would contribute greatly to removing the car dependence and gridlock that is currently plaguing this city. - Yours, etc.,
Gina Smyth, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7.