Metrolink for South-West Dublin should be government priority, not fare increases, says Crowe

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South-West Seán Crowe has said that the government should reject further increases in public transport fares and instead set a clear objective to make MetroLink South West a reality this side of 2040.

Speaking in the Dáil, Crowe said “public transport is essential public infrastructure. It connects people to work, education, healthcare, family and community”

He said “the government should reject further increases in public transport fares and instead begin a serious transition towards a universal, free public transport system as a public good. That would require investment and sustainable public funding.”

Crowe said, “we should also recognise the wider costs of our current transport system which include congestion, pollution, high household transport costs, social exclusion and the enormous amount of time that people lose sitting in traffic.”

The Dublin South-West TD said, “making public transport affordable is only one part of the challenge. We also need a massive expansion of capacity. The State must accelerate investment in rail and public transport infrastructure right across Dublin. MetroLink is an important part of that investment, but ambition cannot stop there.”

Crowe stated, “communities across the south and south west of the city and county have waited long enough for high-capacity public transport. We need a clear plan for MetroLink South West, with the route, funding, planning and delivery programmes established without further delay.”

He said, “we cannot be serious about climate action without reducing congestion or giving people a genuine alternative to the car. Equally, we cannot be talking about delivery some time in the future.”

“We should set ourselves a clear objective to make MetroLink South West a reality this side of 2040. A public transport system should allow people to get to work, schools, hospitals and communities without having to choose between making that journey and paying another bill.