Car Free Sundays

[James Shields]

A recent proposal for a "car free Sunday" every month seems to have been shot down by city centre businesses, who presume people won't come in if they can't bring their cars.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/dublin-mayor-proposes-monthly-car-free-sunday-615485.html

I think this would be a great idea, if people could be encouraged to use public transport in conjunction with it.

If the transport companies could be brought on board to offer reduced (or even free) fares for the day, I believe it would be a popular event, and both business and public transport would benefit.

[James Howard]

What a short-sighted response. I live in Longford and if I'm going to the city centre with my family, my default option is the train.

If they were to combine this with free child fares, it would make a huge different to the attractiveness of the city centre as a weekend destination.

[Inniskeen]

I wouldn't even remotely consider the car a viable option for city centre shopping - too much hassle and cost parking. If I am driving for shopping I would be heading for an out of town mall. Very much in the interest of City Centre Business to support car free Sundays (and other days as well).

[comcor]

If I am driving for shopping I would be heading for an out of town mall.

I think this is one thing that the various Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations around the country fail to pick up on.

Measures to encourage car accessibility in city centres encourages people to adopt a car dependent lifestyle, which encourages use of out of town shopping facilities, which is detrimental to city centre businesses.

It's a very short-term approach.