City where transport system retains a few old vehicles for purely historical reasons

A TRIP to London shows up our outdated transport system.

For example, all of London’s buses are new, low-floored and wheelchair-accessible.

The only exception is the No 8 route which retains some of the old red Routemasters, complete with conductors, for cultural and historical reasons. Their maligned train system is in fact much more modern than ours. All the trains are sleek and modern — even the commuter trains — and stations such as Victoria and Waterloo have a great range of facilities such as bars, cafés and restaurants.

Taxis also are wheelchair-accessible. Of course, the gem in London’s transport system is the Tube. Although often incredibly busy, it’s very efficient.

The result of all this is that Londoners have a real choice of transport, apart from cars. This, together with the recently-introduced congestion charge, means the city doesn’t suffer the gridlock we must endure in Ireland.

In contrast, our transport system is stuck in the dark ages. But then, what do you expect when we have a Government that cares only about the car lobby?

Paul Kinsella

53 Lorcan Grove

Santry

Dublin 9