I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important issue for my constituents in Dublin South East.
It concerns the cutbacks in the 13B bus which services, in particular, the Rathmines and Ranelagh areas. The downgrading of this route has accelerated over the past number of years to the point now where the route is wholly inadequate and unattractive for those who are forced to use public transport and those conscientious individuals who would like to leave their cars at home. I recall when I lived in Palmerstown Road in 1977 that the No. 12 route provided an excellent service for commuters. It strikes me as bizarre that almost a quarter of a century later, when our capital city is gridlocked, when our air is seriously polluted by car fumes and when car numbers are growing exponentially, Dublin Bus has decided to cut back on this essential service. Of course, the less frequent the service, the fewer people will actually use it, which means that Dublin Bus will cut back even further.
In 1997, Dublin Bus decided the route should stop in the city centre and cut down on the num ber of buses it was using. At the time I objected to this move and was informed in a letter dated 17 October, 1997 from Donal Keating, divisional manager, North Summerhill Garage, as follows, "contrary to some rumours, buses will continue to operate during off peak and evening times though with less frequency than heretofore." It is clear that the rumours were not unfounded and that people's suspicions were correct because the present timetable shows that off peak buses are a thing of the past. There is now no service between 10.20 a.m. and 15.40 p.m. from Palmerstown Park and the last bus leaves at 16.20 p.m. The service has essentially been gutted. It is becoming clearer to me that Dublin Bus intends, if possible and if allowed, to stop completely the service some time in the future. I hope it does not have the temerity to restate this is just a rumour. There is a distinct pattern, a twisted logic to the strategy. It is the logic of the bottom line, forced upon it by a Government with a McCreevyite vision of the world. The individual car owner comes first and public transport for a better society comes a very poor second.
Contrast this attitude to more progressive societies where public transport is valued, promoted and subsidised because it contributes to a better society. The attitude of the Government is reprehensible. It is very much a hands off attitude because it is very difficult to get answers on specific questions relating to bus routes – I can only talk in general terms – and I believe that what is required here is a little bit of imagination. If numbers are falling on certain routes, surely we should use Imp buses on those routes and encourage people to use public transport because people are desperately seeking alternatives. To use a car in Dublin city at the moment is no joy. More and more people would use that bus if it were reliable and comfortable. We have many years experience of the success of the DART. The Government has really promoted the car culture because the investment in roads is much greater than the investment in public transport. It was stated in a parliamentary reply that investment in 1997 was £7 million and in 1999 it was in excess of £13 million. However, that does not take into account the requirements which are very real. We need not just a good service but an excellent service.
During the summer I had an opportunity to visit Helsinki where, incidentally, the Greens are the second biggest party. It was a revelation because not only were there cycleways all over the city, there was an excellent public transport service and people did not have to use their cars. This Government is forcing people into a situation where they must use their cars. I want to see a situation in this city where people will have excellent public transport and where the 13B bus and the No. 3 bus which services Ringsend will be services of which people can be proud and will use.
I would like the Minister of State to communicate with Dublin Bus. I do not want him to tell me this is a matter for Dublin Bus. Someone must be answerable and I would like answers to the questions I have raised.
