Congestion and car dependency are front and centre in the Government’s new draft transport strategy, which would give agencies and local bodies the authority to impose extra charges on car users.
Brought to cabinet this week by Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, ‘Moving Together: A Strategic Approach to Improving the Efficiency of Ireland’s Transport System’ is a transport strategy that aims to “reduce congestion” by encouraging the public to walk, cycle and use public transport in an “urban first” approach to the transition away from car use.
The strategy recommends congestion and parking charges as a method by which national, regional and local authorities might change their communities’ behaviours, while the phasing out of the diesel rebates is also considered as well as that of other subsidies on fossil fuels.
The strategy goes to public consultation for three months from April.
While the main focus is on reducing traffic jams, the Government has said that the strategy goes “hand-in-hand” with Government investment and efforts to increase use of public transport, electric vehicles, bikes and walking.
However, these measures are not likely to come into effect in the near future, with the legislation giving authorities power to decide how best to reduce congestion in their own areas a longer-term initiative.
Ministers were told that congestion is due to cost €2 billion by 2040, with many “significant environmental, health and social costs”.
The strategy “prioritises” changing travel behaviours first in urban centres where it says that there is greater public transport infrastructure and more options for walking and cycling. However, the strategy aims to keep “captive car-users” in mind, for whom their car is their only mode of transport, particularly in rural areas.
A “polluter pays” principle will be at work in the development of transport taxation in the medium to long term, while people who drive less and carpool could be rewarded by lower car insurance.
Laws introduced as part of the overall strategy could also see “road-user charging” such as low-emission and clean air zones.
The strategy considers the use of ‘telematic technology’ which measures driver behaviours, such as distance driven.
“Such technology has the scope to reward better driver behaviour, and encourage better driving habits, by offering discounts to drivers who achieve a series of targets set by the insurance provider, including lower premiums for lower mileage,” it reads.
Meanwhile, some commentators have questioned the shift away from cars while public transport remains sporadic, including in urban areas.
Every bank holiday like clockwork, @IrishRail basically shut down the Dart between Northside and Southside.
Meanwhile, this govt wants us to stop driving our cars…..
@EamonRyan https://t.co/Yf2Wg8n4j4— Keith Redmond (@ExCllrRedmond) March 28, 2024
This comes as architect and environmentalist Duncan Stewart criticised the proposed Metrolink project for Dublin city, saying that the project should be “withdrawn” and “redesigned” because of the carbon emissions that would come about during its construction. Minister Eamon Ryan has rejected the suggestion.
Environmentalist opposes public transport scheme. You couldn't make it up. https://t.co/Krt5cNrahr
— Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) March 27, 2024