Transport cuts would take us back to the 1950s

AN Bord Snip Nua recommends “substantial reductions in the public service obligation (PSO) payments made to CIÉ, reflecting the need for major efficiencies across its cost base”.

In the case of Iarnród Éireann, the Bord Snip members suggest that lightly used rail lines should be closed and replaced with bus services.

And they want to further slash the subvention to CIÉ by €55m. This would lead to massive cuts in bus services,

including the axing of entire routes, as well as the closure of rail lines.

They then propose that the closed rail lines be replaced by the very same bus services they also want to decimate.

This is a backward step and goes against everything that is happening internationally. At a time when every other government is actively encouraging people to use public transport it looks like our bog-standard rulers want to go back to the 1950s.

They also call for the reintroduction of water rates: “extend water charges for domestic use”. No doubt there are other “smaller” things like these hidden away elsewhere in the report in the hope people won’t spot them until it’s too late and the Government’ has forced them through.

Paul Kinsella

Lorcan Grove

Santry

Dublin 9