[Article] Getting Irish People onto Public Transport

[Mark Hennessy]

Another good article in the Irish Times about public transport in general in this country:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2009/0727/1224251382260.html


It would be very convenient if these public transport refuseniks could be characterised as wily old executives who are a little stuck in their ways. But it’s not like that. Most of the people who refuse to use public transport are healthy, fairly youthful types who are distinguishable from the rest of us only in so far as their cars are pretty clean. This is a bitter pill for the anti-car lobby to swallow, but it is true, nevertheless. There are people who will never be beaten, or even induced, out of their cars. This might be a question of national identity; it is certainly a national characteristic. The Republic has never been a great place for public transport – train and tram tracks ripped up with gay abandon, whole transport networks destroyed in the newly independent Ireland, which was then and still is in thrall to the car.

[roamling]

This is a very interesting article indeed. I came to Ireland about 6 years ago was struck by the lack of an extensive train network. I guess being born in Germany I am "spoiled".

The idea that people dont use public transport because it´s part of the national characteristic seems interesting. On the other hand I belive that if the transport network would be extended to better coverage and to better service people would use it more often. It would become "normal". If there is a need to distinguish from other people as the article mentions > "In Ireland, your ordinary person wishes to be treated differently to his fellow citizens – and will pay for the privilege" > there is (should be) always 1. class ;)

Personaly I would use the train much more often instead of the car, but sometimes its more of an adventure going from A-B (try Castlebar to Galway :( ) on the train.

[markpb]

I don't think it's a national characteristic - I think we just followed the same social profiles as several other countries. We did have an extensive bus and tram network in Dublin and a good intercity network around the country. When the car became more popular in the 60s, we thought it would take over from trains and trams so we built roads instead.

Now we have a generation (or more) who have grown up with poor public transport and a society that says you must learn to drive as early as possible. It's only when public transport improves that we'll start to move away from that train of thought (no pun intended).

[seamus kilcock]

Re Public Transport from Castlebar to Galway:

No problem - at all, at all!!!

Public Transport gets you there in 1hr 40mins - using Bus Eireann!

This is up to nearly three hours quicker compared to the train.

[roamling]

Re Public Transport from Castlebar to Galway:

No problem - at all, at all!!!

Public Transport gets you there in 1hr 40mins - using Bus Eireann!

This is up to nearly three hours quicker compared to the train.

I was talking about trains. If there would be a direct train line from Castlebar-Galway (instead of going all the way over Athlone!) it would be faster than the Bus and more comfortable. The lack of a North-South train connection in the west is just on of the current shortcomings of the railway network (hopefully this will addressed soon with the reestablishment of the Western Corridor).

A bus is an alternative but not a substitute, for example for people who travel on business it’s less attractive. A train would be more attractive to a wider clientele than any Bus Service.

[comcor]

It seems a good moment to bring up some music from the past...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaSi2Z74Ou8

[Mark Hennessy]

It seems a good moment to bring up some music from the past...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaSi2Z74Ou8

Love that song :D

I have it the single on vinyl at home.