We need to be less dependent on cars

HOW to change a national addiction to the car is one of the big challenges facing the government as it attempts to bring about a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The number of cars on Irish roads has doubled in 20 years — now at two million or one for every two people.

We’re told that if this trend continues, road transport will account for 40% of total emissions by 2010. In a country where everything seems to be planned to suit the car — out-of-town shopping centres being a glaring example — and where public transport has traditionally been cast in a poor secondary role, this is hardly surprising.

Our bus and rail systems have had a poor public image, but good public transport can work and be accepted by the public, as is being proven by the Luas and Dart in Dublin. Dublin Metro and extensions to the Luas will mark further progress which, hopefully, will be accompanied by a system whereby the same ticket covers all public transport. Recent personal experiences of both the Luas and Dart, while on a trip to the capital, were very positive, with services being frequent and, importantly, on time. Also, the re-opening of the Cork/Midleton rail line and the new western rail corridor give a slight indication that things may be changing, though slowly.

A half of all car drivers in the greater Dublin area said they would not switch to travelling by bus, even if services were improved, according to a survey. In 1990, car ownership levels were 227 per 1,000 of the population. The figure now exceeds 400 per 1,000 and is expected to reach the EU average of 500 by 2010. This huge rise in car ownership is a sign of growing personal wealth. Furthermore, we’re buying more high-powered cars which burn more fuel and send up more greenhouse gases, adding to our already high per capita contribution to global warming. Just take a glance at all the 07-registered vehicles that have just come on the road and you’ll note a high proportion of SUVs and other large, petrol guzzlers.

The number of cars in the 1.7 to 1.9 litre range grew by over 400% between 1990 and 2005, while cars with an engine size of up to 1.2 litres showed a steady decline, according to EPA figures. At the same time, public transport is not keeping pace and is losing out to the private car.

“There needs to be a substantial increase in public transport capacity in order to provide a frequent and reliable service which will encourage greater use by the public,’’ said the EPA’s Environment In Focus 2006 report.

An obvious remark, you might say, but not as easy to put into practice as it looks. A poor image of public transport doesn’t help. For example, unreliability, long waiting times and poor connections were cited as the main reasons for not taking the bus in a survey carried out for the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO), last year. As many as four out of five people expressed dissatisfaction with traffic congestion and access to the Luas. More than half said they were happy with the reliability, frequency and cost of buses.

About 45% of those surveyed used the car to get to work. Some 18% relied on the bus and 16% said they walked mainly. Two% cycled and 1% relied on taxis. Of those who said they might switch to the bus, over 60% said more frequent services was the main change needed. Accurate timetables and stops closer to destinations were also called for.

Respondents linked transport by car to comfort, convenience and reliability. In contrast, buses were viewed as being for older people and people with no other choice. Bus transport was favourably viewed for going out socially and for being reasonably priced.

The Luas was seen as modern, while DART and train services were viewed as fast and safe. Cycling and walking were looked upon as healthy and environmentally friendly, but for young people.

Many people could cycle to work quicker than they could drive. Two-thirds of city trips are under 6km, but only a fraction are done by bike. It must be a source of glee to cyclists (and even walkers at times) when they find themselves gliding past cars stopped dead in long lines of traffic. With more people now being forced to buy houses well away from their urban workplaces, the result will be increased car usage. Maybe if people took their long-term transport costs into account, they might find it would have been cheaper, day one, to buy a house close to their workplace.