A chara, - Jonathan McConnell (July 1st) implies that, to encourage people not to take their vehicles into the city, there should be no fee for using Luas. But a free service would impose a large burden on the taxpayer and would be unfair to those not lucky enough to live near the line.
Luas commuters will not be out of pocket as a result of using the new service, as Mr McConnell suggests. The fare is negligible compared with the cost of parking, and the value of their saved time.
There is no reason for the Government to depart from the international norm by providing free public transport. - Is mise,
CORMAC O'DEA,
Braemor Park,
Churchtown,
Dublin 14.
Madam, - Already I have heard talk of taking "the Jerry Lee" and "the Daniel Day". Up the Dubs. - Yours, etc.,
MICK O'GORMAN,
Delhurst Avenue,
Dublin 15W.
Madam, - Following the return to form of two greats in the world of public transport and European soccer, should June 30th, 2004 henceforth be known as Luas Figo day? - Yours, etc.,
FINTAN CASSIDY,
Annadale Crescent,
Dublin 9.
A chara, - The Tram in the Jam has put us Jacks on the Tracks, and should the Train in the Lane ever have running problems or break down it could become the Snail on the Rail or indeed the Crock on the Block. Critics could, given its cost, label it the Folly on a Trolley. But given its limited coverage, or until more lines are built, perhaps Luas should be known as the Choo-choo for the Too Few? - Is mise,
DIARMAID FLEMING,
Grange Court,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Madam, - Luas is an especially well-chosen name for Dublin's new tram service, being a simple Irish word of two syllables and therefore easy for everybody to pronounce.
I was appalled to hear a junior Minister on radio repeatedly refer to it as "loose". - Yours, etc.,
MARY McKEOGH,
Greenfields Court,
Kilkenny.