Latest: Dublin Bus call for cars to be banned from bus lanes for longer
Dublin Bus is calling for cars to be banned from bus lanes for longer each day.
The company, along with members of Dublin City Council, have been discussing the city's chronic traffic problems with a committee of politicians earlier today.
Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan says measures to deal with congestion could be looked at as a possible option to reduce lengthy delays, but he isn't in favour of a London-style congestion charge.
"I was at that Oireachtas committee hearing today listening to other people speaking and what Dublin Bus made clear - and it's absolutely right - we have to upgrade our bus network," said Mr Ryan.
"The city is in transport crisis, it isn't just a small blip. We have a real problem.
"Our buses are slowing down in the city centre because of College Green."
It is just as bad for bus passengers crawling through College Green. There is no sign of progress on the https://t.co/vfHbXzdDCc project to solve the problem. All due to a lack of political leadership and will. @Shane_RossTD pic.twitter.com/TEv3TKood8
— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) February 21, 2018
A top transport official has told the Oireachtas Transport committee that the country has consistently failed to keep up with economic growth when it comes to infrastructure.
The head of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cormac O'Rourke, said the TII were examining the National Transport Model to see if it needed updating after the latest population forecasts.
Mr O'Rourke said the congestion in Dublin is down to the country's present economic success, and has warned that under investment in the upkeep of roads and pavements over the last 20 years would cost €600m in repairs every year.
He said: "This is more than twice as expensive in real terms and in no way, represents value for money. I am grateful for the commitment from the Department that this funding gap will be phased out by 2020."
"I do believe that as a country we have consistently underestimated growth and have failed to plan for success."
Mr O'Rourke has also admitted that the original estimate of 21 minutes for the Luas Cross City journey was overly optimistic.
It was announced yesterday that 10 more bus routes would be diverted away from College Green in a bid to ease the gridlock.
He said, apart from a mistake regarding the sequencing of lights, there are two issues that they could not have predicted.
Mr O'Rourke said: "Issues with motorists' behaviour, there was a well-publicised case where a Luas was blocking O'Connell Bridge where a motorist had failed to clear a yellow box.
"The other issue is where a temporary 10km/h speed limit imposed by the Commissioner for Railway regulation. That's a safety measure that they introduced at the last moment."
Solutions to Dublin's traffic problems and the overtaking of cyclists are being discussed today by the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
TDs and Senators will be looking for answers when they hear from top officials from Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus and Luas operator Transdev.
A private member's motion, tabled by Fianna Fáil in the Dáil last night, accused the Government of failing to get to grips with congestion caused by the Luas Cross City line.
However, Transport Minister Shane Ross says the Luas extension is a big success.
He told the Dáil last night: "It's been a 24% passenger increase since then. Now that is an extraordinary piece of good news.
"But if there hadn't been any increase at all, you would be in here crying about it being a white elephant."
Also to be discussed at the committee meeting today are laws on the dangerous overtaking of cyclists, which campaigners say do not go far enough to protect them.
A campaign group, Safe Cycling Ireland, is calling for a new Minimum Passing Distance Law.
It will bring the proposals to the Oireachtas Transport committee today, calling for a minimum requirement of 1.5 metres when cars are passing bikes.
Phil Skelton from Safe Cycling Ireland said: "The idea of this law is behaviour change, not constant enforcement.
"It's less a trap than a reminder that cyclists are sharing roads with other bigger vehicles and that needs to be recognised."
