Bus lanes ‘vital’ to prevent gridlock

BUS ÉIREANN yesterday warned that proposed public transport lanes are vital to save Limerick from traffic gridlock.

Resident groups are objecting to plans by Limerick City Council to open up bus lanes into the city centre from the suburbs where Limerick County Council have already provided bus lanes.

Bus Éireann also dismissed calls by Michael Noonan TD for the deferment of the bus lane programme until the new tunnel road under the Shannon is ready in 2010.

Bus Éireann spokeswoman Erica Roseingrave said: “The Shannon Tunnel may remove some traffic in the short term but the only sustainable way of tackling congestion is to roll out more Green Routes and invest in public transport and they cannot be deferred any longer.

“The Southern Ring Road did not resolve traffic problems, nor will the Shannon Tunnel. Green Routes are a major piece of public transport which have the potential to dramatically transform the quality, frequency and reliability of bus services in the city and reduce congestion.

“Delays will just make congestion worse.”

She welcomed an independent report on the proposed network of bus routes that was presented to Limerick City Council.

International consultants Arups was commissioned by Limerick City Council to undertake a Green Routes corridor selection study in the city.

Ms Roseingrave said: “Following a detailed examination, three corridors were identified as being suitable for the development of Green Routes. These recommendations along with a number of proposed measures are contained in the report which reinforces the need for Green [bus] Routes.”

Miriam Flynn, regional manager of Bus Éireann South-west, said traffic congestion in Limerick is taking an increasing toll on public transport to the detriment of more than three million public transport users.

“Because of the lack of Green Routes in the city, buses are stuck in constant tailbacks and are operating at a crawl. The average speed of buses in Limerick is just 10kph.

“As a result, buses are often late and on some occasions, fail to arrive at all. Customers are left waiting, wondering and frustrated,” said Ms Flynn.

“Regrettably, this experience makes them more likely to take their cars the next time, exacerbating the situation even further.”