Sir, – The preferred solution to ease the congestion on Dublin trams is to put longer trams into service. This solution to the rail congestion is akin to solving the problem of car congestion by building more roads – it simply leads to more congestion.
The metro system in Washington DC charges higher fares during rush hours than the rest of the day. When trains are congested, each additional passenger imposes a cost on other users. Other users must stand or wait for a train that is not crowded. This is a problem of common resources and charging a higher fare during rush hour internalises this negative externality. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS POWER,
Dublin Institute
of Technology,
Dublin 1.
Sir, – How about an extra-extended Luas that’s long enough to stretch all the way from the terminus at Bride’s Glen to the one at Broombridge? Passengers could simply walk around inside the tram and alight at their chosen destination. Consider the advantages. There’d be massive electricity savings as the only power required would be to operate the doors. There’d be no drivers and therefore no driver strikes. And Dublin would have a much fitter, healthier workforce with all those extra kilometres walked on a daily basis! – Yours, etc,
RONAN SCANLAN
Leopardstown,
Dublin 18.