75:25 transport vision

8/7/2019 75:25 Transport Vision

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75:25TRANSPORT

VISIONThe Green Partys 10-point plan for

people-focussed, low-emissions transport.

vote.greenparty.ie

RENEWING

IRELAND

ONFEB25THVOTEGREEN


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Introduction

Recognition of a changing energy landscape must be at the heart of investmentdecisions in the transport sector. Future governments will be faced with twin energychallenges: a decreasing supply and an increasing cost of oil, and stricter limits onthe amount of greenhouse gases we emit. It is vital therefore that environmentallysustainable choices are made now to ensure Ireland's long term energy security anddeliver a sustainable transport system

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has charted the significant rise inenergy use in the transport sector1. Energy use grew by 181% from 1990 to 2007with transport accounting for 43% of total energy demand. Over a similar time periodthe EPA estimates transport related greenhouse gas emissions increased by 165%between 1990 and 2006.

While these rises have tapered as a result of the recession and less goods andpeople being transported, it is vital that the underlying trends of high oil dependency

be addressed. Ninety nine percent of our transport energy use in 2009 wasdependent on oil products, all of which were imported. We have a high dependenceon the private car as a mode of transport. We also have a legacy of poor planningand urban sprawl that will leave us highly vulnerable to a sustained rise in oil prices.

It is against this backdrop that the Green Party advocates investment inenvironmentally sustainable transport modes. This means investing in publictransport rather than building new high spec roads. It means proper planning overurban sprawl and championing carbon free means of travel such as cycling andwalking in our towns and cities. The Green Party in Government commenced thatshift with the prioritisation of the Smarter Travel Policy, the introduction of a robustplanning framework, reform of the bus network and the establishment of the National

Transport Authority.

Our new economic reality also impacts on how our transport investment is plannedfor. Under the National Recovery Plan, the capital allocation for transport has beenreduced to 4.8bn for 2010 - 2014, down from the 6.8bn envisaged under theInfrastructural Investment Priorities. Subsidies to CIE for buses and trains have beensimilarly reduced.

In the context of doing more with less the Green Party sets out its Ten Point Plan fora sustainable, energy secure transport system that will meet the needs of futuregenerations for years to come.

1. Reprioritising Transport 21

The economic growth projections on which Transport 21 were set are not achievable.It is the Green Partys view that the programme will therefore have to be radicallyreorganised to match both a new budget and a changed future energy landscape.Reducing our dependency on imported oil and providing a long term sustainabletransport network will be central to any future transport investment decisions of theGreen Party in Government.

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http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/EPSSU_Publications/Energy_in_Transport/EPS

SU_Transport_Rpr_Fnl_Dec07.pdf


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Such an investment must be viewed not just in terms in the provision of alternativemodes of commuter transport, but as protecting the Irish transport sector againstsharp rises in the price of oil. There needs therefore to be an urgent investment intransport solutions that are low carbon and sustainable.

2. Investment in Public, not Private, Transport

The majority of our capital investing in coming years must focus on public transport.There have been significant improvements to Irelands road network in the last fiveyears, with motorways linking our main cities and towns. 76% of Transport 21 fundingto date has been invested in roads, with only 24% going to public transport.

The Green Party will reverse this trend, investing in public transport over roads by aratio of 3:1, and prioritising major labour intensive public transport projects such asMetro North and the Dart Interconnector.

3. Improving our Rail Network

Lets speed up our Intercity trains. A modern, well run, rail system is vital to oureconomic recovery. We will continue to build on the significant investment in the railnetwork that was a feature of our term in Government, with the opening of three newrail lines and the upgrading of rolling stock. A continued investment of100m perannum in the railway network is necessary to ensure it can compete with themotorway system. Reducing journey times on Intercity routes through improvedsignalling, junction and track improvements and the separation of fast and slowservices should be the focus of investment in the coming years.

The Green Party will:

Prioritise the construction of Metro North. Prioritise the delivery of the DART Underground Interconnector, advancing

planning and preparatory works. Advance Phase 2 and progress planning for Phase 3 of the Western Rail

Corridor. Advance project planning for the Navan Rail Project.

In addition, we will focus on:

Re-examining the potential for passenger services through the Phoenix ParkTunnel in the short term while the Interconnector is being planned.

Adopting the Community Rail Partnership approach to run rural and lightlyused rail lines such as Rosslare Waterford, as opposed to closing them.

Developing a new management, planning and marketing strategy aimed atenticing new rail freight business in order to revitalise the industry and openup freight services to competition to provide a more reliable and efficientservice.

Introducing Real Time Passenger Information at all railway stations and halts. Promote integrated car hire and taxi booking at all mainline rail stations


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4. A Smart, Reliable Bus Service in our Towns and Cities

The Green Partys time in Government has seen significant investment in busreliability through the purchase of 500 new buses, the installation of Quality BusCorridors and bus priority schemes. We also invested in the roll out of AutomaticVehicle Locators to enable Real-Time Passenger Information.

The Green Party intends to:

Maintain current subvention to Dublin Bus and Bus ireann to prevent furtherprice increases.

Prioritise the rapid roll-out of Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) to over500 bus stops in Dublin, making this information available on SMS and theInternet. We will extend this RTPI service to bus stops in towns and citiesacross the country.

Continue the reform of the Dublin Bus Network, following on from thesuccessful first phases ofNetwork Direct, improve bus efficiency and reduce

costs Develop an integrated rural transport network, run by the National TransportAuthority.

Maintain investment in bus priority measures such as Quality Bus Corridors(QBCs), to prioritise rapid bus transport in towns and cities.

Deliver of an integrated ticketing system across all forms of bus and railtransport in the Greater Dublin Area, to assist commuters in ease of access tothe public transport system.

Pilot the introduction of transferable bus tickets at weekends and flat fares toincrease bus patronage.

5. Light Rail and Bus Rapid Transit

In Government, the Green Party has overseen the extension of the Red Line Luas tothe Docklands the Green Line to Cherrywood, with the Red Line to Citywest due toopen soon.

The Green Party will progress planning for the Luas cross-city link, linking the twoexisting Luas lines with each other in the City Centreand extending to the new DITCampus at Grangegorman and the Maynooth Rail line. This will have an overalleffect of integrating much of Dublins public transport services.

Following the public transport feasibility studies for regional cities, the Green Party

favours the promotion of Bus Rapid Transit corridors as the best interim solution forpublic transport in the regional cities, as well as in Dublin. Bus Rapid Transit involvesthe provision of high quality, dedicated bus corridors that combine the efficiency andreliability of light rail with the lower costs of bus infrastructure. Bus Rapid Transitshould be combined with increased availability of park and ride locations andeffective city centre traffic management.

6. Safer Roads and Cleaner Cars

Rather than building new roads, resources should now be targeted at maintaining theexisting network to achieve better value for money and improve road safety. TheGreen Party would therefore not advance new road schemes as part of the nextGovernment and would instead channel funding to maintain and repair the existingroad network, providing for safety upgrade works where necessary.


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Through the motor tax system, the Green Party will incentivise the purchase of lowemission vehicles and promote eco efficient driving.

We will promote Car Sharing and the expansion of Park & Ride facilities for areas stillout of reach of public transport in the immediate future.

The Green Party has set in motion an ambitious plan for Electric Vehicles, withachievable targets of 10% of vehicles on our roads to be electric by 2020. We wouldmaintain supports such as VRT rebates and grant aid to promote this technology.

7. Carbon Free Transport: Cycling and Walking

Achieving a reduction in the amount of private cars in our towns and cities will requirea significant shift towards the bicycle as a means of transport for short journeys. Thesuccesses of both the Cycle to Work tax incentive scheme and the Dublin Bikes

Scheme are illustrative of the huge public enthusiasm for cycling.

Building on the success of our initiatives in government, the Green Party will harnessthis enthusiasm for cycling by making it a safe and realistic mode of transport.

The Green Party will:

Support Dublin City Council in increasing the number of bicycles within theDublin Bikes Scheme and work with the relevant local authorities to introducea GalwayBike, CorkBike & LimerickBike Scheme.

Introduce a 'hierarchy of care' system similar to that in Scandinavia, Germanyand the Netherlands, which gives motorists a greater legal responsibility for

the safety of vulnerable road users. Plan for and implement a new national cycle network to provide safe

commuting routes into urban centres and promote both local and longdistance recreational cycling.

Engage with Local Authorities to ensure that cycle facilities such as bicyclelanes and bicycle parking are maintained regularly and kept free from parkedvehicles.

Progress key city cycle routes such as the Bray to Balbriggan (Sutton toSandycove) cycle route in Dublin and an Oranmore to Barna track in Galway.

Introduce cycle training in schools as part of the curriculum. Continue to develop a National Walking Policy with provision of safe

pedestrian routes linked, where appropriate, with public transport services, atits core

Promote the construction and enlargement of footpaths, proper drainage,traffic calming and the prioritising of pedestrians at traffic lights.

8. Connecting Rural Ireland

An integrated, connected rural transport network is essential to providing publictransport access to those living outside of our major towns and cities. Recognisingthe poor planning legacy which has led to significant sprawl, the Green Party will:

Retain funding for the Rural Transport Scheme and work with transportproviders for an integrated rural transport network to ensure that all


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communities have at least a minimum daily service, proportionate to theirpopulation and connecting where feasible with other transport modes.

Coordinate existing transport resources more effectively through the NationalTransport Authority.

Work with Iarnrod ireann to focus more management attention on ruralrailway lines. Apply the Community Rail Partnership approach to themarketing of rural rail lines and to link with the Rural Transport Programme.

Encourage the clustering of residential development beside existing villages. Streamline funding from the HSE, the Department of Education, the Dept

Community, Equality and Rural Affairs to integrate rural bus services andavoid duplication of services.

9. Sustainable Transport Towns

In recent years increased car use has led to the domination of our urban areas byparked cars and traffic. It is time to reclaim our streets and promote new thinking ontraffic management.

The Green Party will support and encourage towns that wish to take the lead onsustainability. Best practice in sustainable transport will be promoted through grantassistance for cities and towns that demonstrate leadership in smart transportsolutions. This will build on the existing SmarterTravel Demonstration Project Fundand provide funding and assistance over a five year period.

Measures may include the following:

Car free zones in town centres on particular days. Proposals for walking and cycling hubs. Wider footpaths, seating and tree planting. Smart phones that identify healthier transport options.

Promoting Home-Zones

People are more important than cars. While road humps have been used in recentyears to slow down traffic, it is now time to move on to the use of more sophisticatedintegrated traffic calming measures rather than provided as an add-on measure.

Countries such as Germany and the Netherlands lead the way in the use of home-zones that calm traffic and create living streets. Home Zones work through thephysical alteration of streets and roads in an area. These alterations force motorists

to drive with greater care and at lower speeds. They provide for a range of measuresincluding:

30kph speed limits Zebra crossings Integrated traffic calming Use of residential streets for childrens outdoor play

The Sustainable Transport Act will integrate these measures into policy-making.


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10. A Sustainable Transport Act

Land-use and transport planning requires joined up thinking. The Green Party inGovernment has reformed the planning system. We have delivered a solid legislativeplatform for efficient transport planning, including a new Planning Act that ends thereckless zoning of the past and specifically recognises the Smarter Travel policy. Weoversaw the creation of a National Transport Authority to ensure that local authoritiesact in the wider national interest and curb suburban sprawl. We also introduced aPublic Transport Regulation Act that puts the commuters interest at the heart of buslicensing.

As part of the next Government, the Green Party will:

Enact a Sustainable Transport Bill to give a legal basis to a hierarchy ofsustainable travel modes.

Merge the National Roads Authority and Rail Procurement Agency to providea single-agency to efficiently deliver new sustainable transport projects.

Progressively enhance the National Transport Authority role to strengthen itsoversight role over Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus ireann; and give itstrategic transport and land-use planning powers to work in conjunction withlocal and regional authorities in the planning and delivery of public transportinfrastructure outside of the Greater Dublin Area.

75:25 transport vision

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