No ideological hang-ups in PDs’ transport policy

PAUL KINSELLA (Irish Examiner letters, August 15) inaccurately reflects the Progressive Democrats’ attitude to public transport with his incorrect reference to what he claims is Mary Harney’s “ideological block” on new buses.

At times, some of my party’s policy positions are depicted as the result of ideological hang-ups or the outcome of some slavish devotion to competition. In this case, as in the others, this is simply untrue.

The PDs seek competition in the Dublin bus market not for competition’s sake, but for the consumer’s sake.

The taxpayers currently provide a subsidy to Dublin Bus to provide a service (€24 million in 2004).

Effectively, Dublin Bus get their buses for free, fuel at a reduced cost and a significant direct annual subsidy without any mechanism to ensure the services are provided at least cost to the Irish taxpayer.

The absence of pressure to provide value for money may even apply to the purchase of buses themselves. The resulting service is not adequate.

The PDs have no problem providing subsidies for some routes, but why should Dublin Bus alone receive subsidies?

There are 5,000 private buses costing the taxpayer nothing by way of subvention bringing thousands of people from rural areas into Dublin every day alongside State-sponsored buses.

Is it logical to provide more taxpayers’ money to Dublin Bus when the taxpayer has no way of knowing where and when the new buses will run?

Our logical desire to see city centre routes opened to competition is combined with a careful approach to how public money is invested.

The franchise of 25% of existing Dublin Bus routes would make the capital’s bus system more rational and transparent.

Liberalising the bus market in this radical manner would be the best way to get people out of private cars and into public transport. Dublin Bus, by the way, would be as welcome as any other company to compete for routes.

Incidentally, it is interesting to note that the so-called alternative government of Fine Gael and Labour cannot agree on a policy for the Dublin bus market.

Senator Tom Morrissey

Transport Spokesman

Progressive Democrats

Leinster House

Kildare Street

Dublin 2