Dublin Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Public Transport Campaign

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Transport campaign banner drop on the Ha'penny Bridge

Transport campaign banner drop on the Ha'penny Bridge

Banners were dropped and thousands of leaflets were handed out at the Ha'penny Bridge, Eastlink Bridge, Heuston Station, Fairview, Blanchardstown, and the Red Cow Junction of the M50 motorway during the campaigns week of action.

Decades of under-funding in public transport by government has ensured that our capital city grinds to a halt each day with traffic chaos. Government subsidy of Dublin Bus is extremely low at just 25% in comparison to other European countries. Sinn Fein believes by adding 500 additional buses to the Dublin Bus fleet access throughout the county will be improved and waiting times reduced.

If commuters are provided with integrated, efficient, reliable cost effective public transport they will leave their cars at home. The absence of such a transport system has forced Dublin to become one of the most car dependent cities in Europe.

Dublin Sinn Féin identified many communities throughout the city where extra buses are urgently needed. Dublin MEP & general election candidate Mary Lou McDonald proposed additional buses for the Ballybough to Beaumont hospital, Cabra /city centre and Infirmary Road routes. Cllr. Dessie Ellis noted that despite a modest increase in bus numbers in the Lanesboro and Charlestown areas of North Finglas and Santry Woods the area remains inadequately serviced.

Deputy Sean Crowe called for extra buses to service the Kiltipper, Aylesbury, and Ballycullen areas. Investment in public transport has not been provided for the many new developments in the Old Mill and Firhouse areas. Deputy Crowe also noted bus schedules for Kingswood and West Tallaght have been reduced since the Luas came into operation. Local commuters are also unable to get onto the Luas during peak times and those living any distance from the nearest station in their area with no public transport method of getting home.

South Dublin has had a similar experience with the reduction of the 48A bus service in Ballinter due to the introduction of the Luas despite strong local opposition against the move. The party's general election candidate for the area Shaun Tracey has called for the 48A to be restored to its pre Luas level of service and said there must be no reduction of the 44 route when the Cherrywood Luas extension is completed.

Dublin Mid West candidate Joanne Spain is calling for additional bus routes to be added to the ever expanding Lucan area and pointed out many of the newly developed estates have virtually no bus service at all.

A simple and proven solution to the city's transport crisis is the investment of public monies in public services. Sinn Féin will deliver this alternative if elected into the next Government.