Chamber getting impatient with Cullen

[Kevin K Kelehan]

Dublin chamber's transport body fears

January 23, 2006 07:36
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has said it is concerned at possible delays in setting up the implementation body for Transport 21 in the Greater Dublin area.

In a submission to Government, the body has set out its proposals for the establishment of the Dublin Transportation Authority (DTA). CEO Gina Quin said that, from past experience, the DTA might not be fully operational for three to four years.

'We believe that, until the DTA has the necessary legislative power, the Minister for Transport should chair a Transport 21 Implementation Team which should meet monthly,' she said. This would comprise the CEOs of all the transport procurement agencies, a County Manager representing Dublin's local authorities, the Dublin Transportation Office, a representative from Dublin Chamber and Dublin Bus.


In its submission, the chamber also called for tenders to issued to operators for new bus routes across the city, and an increase of 50% in the bus fleet over three years.

It calls on Irish Rail to look at providing an electric rail service from anywhere within a 50-70km radius of the city, along the lines of the double-decker commuter services that operate in Belgium and the Netherlands. The chamber also says some rail routes should be tendered out to private operators when the new network is completed.

From http://www.rte.ie/business/2006/0123/dublin.html

[al2637]

along the lines of the double-decker commuter services that operate in Belgium and the Netherlands.

NO NO NO. Dublin needs a CITY wide metro/tram system. Not 1 or 2 high capacity heavy rail lines. We live in a low density city/country!!

[Mark Gleeson]

IE actually are planning to go double decker, they don't want to but they aren't rulling it out, if you look at the northern line even at 4 trains an hour its not even close to dealing with demand, 6 trains is unlikely to cope either, so you either go longer to 12 or go double decker or go both, well 4 tracking to Howth Junction ain't looking likely

The problem is the density is now appearing in out lying areas too far away to be serviced by tram or metro

You won't see private operators on the Dublin suburban on single lines it wouldn't make any sense, if the whole electrified section was up for grabs you then would have something still unlike the UK you will never be able to show up and start a service as you need trains and facilites

Out of the huge number of private operators in the UK only 2 to my knowledge are running under open access rules (Heathrow Express and Hull Trains)

[PaulM]

Originally Posted by al2637

NO NO NO. Dublin needs a CITY wide metro/tram system. Not 1 or 2 high capacity heavy rail lines. We live in a low density city/country!!

NO NO NO. We need to focus development around rail (Maynooth line) and put new rail infrastructure into new larger areas. This is not likely in the medium term so do the best with what we have even if it is 2 heavy rail lines.

[Mark]

THE CHAMBER are getting impatient? How about the travelling public? Perhaps we've just become immune to the **** investment..

The line north of Howth Junction is going to be serving the fastest growing area in Ireland. The faster to Balbriggan and beyond the better! The same could be said of Kildare. Also remember the city centre is still poorly served by heavy rail, the interconnector fixes all these problems.

Double decker is just another card up IE's sleeve. They have larger sleeves than the RPA or so I've heard!

Privatise the WRC!!!

[Maskhadov]

whats wrong with Double decker trains anyway ?

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Maskhadov

whats wrong with Double decker trains anyway ?

Apart from being a lot taller which means expensive works to lift bridges

The main problem is the dwell times which would be extended as boarding would be awkward

The view is go longer 12 coach trains are not uncommon in the UK and elsewhere.