Luas

[Derek Wheeler]

I feel Ive gone quite mad.

A very heated debate just took place on radio between Ger Hannon and I, in relation to our latest Press Release. Obviously the RPA defended their position in relation to safety, but side tracked other matters. However, in a very bizarre twist of events, it was suggested that P11 have a problem with Luas and an "agenda".

I explained to Mr. Hannon that our agenda was to ensure that the RPA are accountable to passengers and quoted the example of the 30m trams on the red line. Regulars will remember that Mr. Hannon referred to this issue as "nonsense" in 2004. Fast forward to 2005 and Tom Manning of the RPA stated that the introduction of 40m trams on the red line, is on the way. Today, when I reminded Mr. Hannon about this, his response was, "it was nonsense then and if it came out today, I'd still say it was nonsense."

What am I missing here?
Were we wrong to request 40m trams on the red line?
Were we right that capacity could have been increased from day one if 40 m trams were used?
Should the RPA just hold their hands up and admit that a mistake or mis-calculation was made?

I'd appreciate the opinions of others on this matter as after todays event, we seem to be annoying the RPA, when all we want is accountability. What is the problem with accountability in this country?

[sean]

Oh dear

Does anyone have a sound recording?

[Mark Gleeson]

You can't the truth it would seem

Mr Hannon gave no answer to the key questions

1) Will there be disruption
2) Why the reports are not in the public domain

Now we can show

A) Supervision was lacking, have that on offical record
B) Contractor was invited but did not attend oireachtas committee
C) Luas was late no question there
D) The faults where known in advance of opening

I would point out a no point in the press release does it state that the Luas system is unsafe in any manner, there are concerns which even the RPA will admit to

And yes Platform 11 very much likes Luas as it shows what is possible if the committment is there but and its a big but,
Why is it faster, cheaper and more comfortable by bus from O'Connell Bridge to Heuston??
Where are the 40m trams??
Where is the shuttle service Connolly Heuston??
Where are the safety reports of which the RPA are required by law to publish??
Why was the budget revised 3 times??
Why was it a full year late??

End of the day all we want is a clear statement on the matter

[philip]

Derek, what radio show was this on?

On the subect of accountability, this is the big problem I have with the RPA-the reports should be in the public domain by now.

[Kevin K Kelehan]

The assertion by Ger Hannon that Platform 11 have an agenda is disgraceful; he should be forced to state what agenda he percieves the group have and present evidence to support it.

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by philip

Derek, what radio show was this on?

On the subect of accountability, this is the big problem I have with the RPA-the reports should be in the public domain by now.

Newstalk 106 1:05pm

[Mark Gleeson]

Originally Posted by Kevin K Kelehan

The assertion by Ger Hannon that Platform 11 have an agenda is disgraceful; he should be forced to state what agenda he percieves the group have and present evidence to support it.

What other agenda can we have other the the provision of the best rail based public transport. We want a safe, efficent reliable service. The almost certain disruption that will follow as a result of the defective luas track being repaired. Thats our business

All we want is clarity and solid facts not cheap ads in papers

[ad hoc]

On the issue of Heuston/Connolly shuttles, there was a Connex A4 poster stuck on the side of the Heuston-bound ticket machine at Abbey Street this morning announcing the start of extra Heuston/Connolly round-trips between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., Monday to Friday.

Is this progress?

[Derek Wheeler]

The agenda remark was downright unprofessional. I feel he said it because it was P11. I doubt he would have said it to a journalist. He side stepped a lot of points in the press release and zoomed in on the fact that we mentioned "over budget". The whole trust of the release regarding public information went over his head.In an attempt to undermine us he asked me the cost of the Luas, I said 800 million to which he replied 775 million and asked me to admit I was wrong. My reply was to ask him to admit he was wrong about the 40m tram issue. No chance. Fair play to Damien Kiberd, he let us go at it.

Bottom line here is simple. In my opinion Ger Hannons tone was agressive from the start. I had to ask him not to interupt me. The agenda remark is childish and disrepectful. Ger Hannon forgot to realise Im a luas customer as well as being a p11 member. But there is no doubt about it, P11 are on the RPA wanted dead or alive list, which is unfortunate. It was obvious from today that it was going to be an all guns blazing affair.Then it got off to a bad start in 2004 when the RPA reaction to us was one of dismissal on what (despite their continued refusal) was a good point.

Anyway, there's lots of rocky roads ahead for the RPA and no doubt we'll be meeting them again.

[Mark Gleeson]

I have the budget numbers for luas and €775 is the total allocation but €691 was the budgeted cost, a further €84 million was allocated for risk and contingency and all of it was used, that means they went over budget.The cost of Luas was quoted as €269 in 1996, that became €448 odd million in 2000 (we think had linked up as well) only to reach €600+ million in 2001 increasing to €691 in 2002

Against the budget at time the RPA commenced work it was over budget, its simple to go back and renegotiate

Ger brought up heap of issues on air which we never mentioned, we never mentioned who pays for repairs, and it was indeed Ger himself quoted in the Indo who mentioned single line working

[PaulM]

Originally Posted by ad hoc

On the issue of Heuston/Connolly shuttles, there was a Connex A4 poster stuck on the side of the Heuston-bound ticket machine at Abbey Street this morning announcing the start of extra Heuston/Connolly round-trips between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., Monday to Friday.

Is this progress?

That's slight progress. Heuston/Connolly is the busiest section of the Red line. It should probably be more frequent.

I'm sure the powers that be would say this is nonesense.