Public Transport Platform in time for 2009?

[MichaelR]

I periodically see (and contribute to) calls to public transport on various threads. The most recent example was on the thread about greenhouse emissions, where expat girl called for public transport in the middle of a debate on cows.

But scattered p.ie calls won't change anything. And it looks like no party is clearly pushing the public transport issue, not even the Greens. And the local elections (really important for the issue) are coming in 2009.

I propose starting a "Public Transport Platform". Platform, not party and not allied to a party. The idea is to raise awareness of the issue, support pro-public transport candidates of any party affiliation, and possibly consider fielding candidates (where a single issue candidate would stand a chance).

The platform should support all forms of public transport, as well as building sidewalks for pedestrians. It should not be too hostile to cars as such (i.e. call for huigher car taxes) - there is no point pushing against cars before a cleaner alternative is available. It should also be neutral on other things, i.e. health, immigration, North etc. - to avoid turning people off or splintering.

The platform should ideally have a steering commitee of people in various localities, not a single leader . This avoids the trap which caught the ICP, when the image of the platform depends on the imperfect abilities of just one woman; also this gives local media across the country accessible interview candidates (I do hope this will arise!)

(NOTE. The only reason for mentioning the ICP is as an example of a single-issue platform. We should learn by their mistakes; along with too much Leader, they also over-relied on fielding independent candidates rather than supporting party ones).

I have some ideas on innovative lines of campaigningm apart from the pollution question. A possible slogan is "There's more to life than just driving". Right to a night life. Right of teenagers to independence. Right to be simply tired. Right of drivers to have the bad/drunk/tired drivers off the road, too.

The idea is to start discussion now and try to organize a nucleus before summer 2008, so that we could be ready for the local election campaign.

Any takers? I'll probably be in Dublin late next week - perhaps we could meet up in a pub? (I'll leave my car in Limerick)

[seabhcan]

Wouldn't it be unnecessarily competing with the Rail Users Ireland?

[MichaelR]

Wouldn't it be unnecessarily competing with the Rail Users Ireland?

Good point, but I would intend the main line (at least outside of Dublin commuter belt) to be about buses. Buses are can be done in the short term, by the local authority alone with no Dail involvement, and practically everywhere.

I live in Limerick; there is one possible new commuter rail link in the county (Foynes line, would need big investment), also a couple of links that should get enhancement for commuter use (Ennis, L. Junction), but *lots and lots* of possible bus links - for commuting, night life and what not. And that can be done nearly overnight.

If Rail Users Ireland would want to expand their remit to all public transport, for example change name to Rail and Bus Users Ireland, I'd simply join. Otherwise I'd want alliance not competition. As the approach would be mostly supporting candidates rather than fielding new ones, there's nothing to compete over.

[seabhcan]

I suppose you could start by making up a questionnaire for candidates on their commitment to local transport, and then stick the answers on a website.

[jholt]

Didn't the Labour Party have a policy before the last GE of €1 bus fares and more buses. If that is not support for public transport, then what is?

[seabhcan]

Didn't the Labour Party have a policy before the last GE of €1 bus fares and more buses. If that is not support for public transport, then what is?

Wasn't that only for Dublin Bus? Most of the country doesn't has buses at any price.

[MichaelR]

I suppose you could start by making up a questionnaire for candidates on their commitment to local transport, and then stick the answers on a website.

When are the candidates actually determined?

[fergalr]

Didn't the Labour Party have a policy before the last GE of €1 bus fares and more buses. If that is not support for public transport, then what is?

More buses, more routes, more trains, more carriages, more track, a metro, the interconnector, a proper light rail network in Dublin with adoption in Cork also.
€1 fares retard that process.

[seabhcan]

Didn't the Labour Party have a policy before the last GE of €1 bus fares and more buses. If that is not support for public transport, then what is?

More buses, more routes, more trains, more carriages, more track, a metro, the interconnector, a proper light rail network in Dublin with adoption in Cork also.
€1 fares retard that process.

Not really. Like the hospitals and the schools, these services are not run at a profit.

It costs more to the state coffers (roads, traffic police, A&E for crashes, balance of payments for imported cars and fuel, etc, etc) to keep people on the roads in private cars than in public transport.

I would have thought the PDs would be the first to see the economic sense in public transport.

[Watcher]

There is Platform 11 which is pushing for proper public transport. I Googled them but couldn't find a web site. You could try and find some contact details. I read some things from them before, cant remeber where, and they seemed to know quite a bit, within Dublin at least, and maybe country wide.

I am a rail user myself, commuting from Drogheda to Dublin every day. There is a Rail Users Group in Drogheda, at least there was a few years back but the service has picked up (from a very low base) but more needs to be done in a big way.

I am originally from Limerick myself and I have quite a big interest in this topic. Can I PM you? I would be interested in meeting up when you are in Dublin. I'm not sure how much time I would have though. Most my time is taken with work and familly (and P.ie ) but if there is a meeting I'll turn up and give my 2 cents worth and take it from there.

It will be a big battle though. Why do you think that the local elections can solve anything? Public transport initiatives are dictated centrally, not locally. The boys in Dublin couldn't give a rats ass about the local politicians and the local politicians have no say in just about everything. It could raise awarness but that's about all, and locally, people are very aware because they live with the lack of public transport every day.

As for the green element, the governments conviction in turning Dublin buses into biofuel run vehicles was extremely limp, even for this government. 2% conversion rate. Says it all.