Dublin Commuter Coalition; calls on Government to prioritise emergency funding

In the wake of President Trump’s latest escapade of global chaos, Government are predictably about to cut taxes on fossil fuels amidst the rising cost of living. Rather than ignoring our obligations under the 2015 Paris climate accords yet again; the Dublin Commuter Coalition is calling on the Government to utilise available funding and prioritise sustainable transport measures to reduce car reliance instead.

We are proposing the following measures be taken by Government at tomorrow's cabinet meeting:

1. Increase provision of Work from Home for public sector employees 

2. Immediate rollout of Nationwide 30kph speed limits in urban areas; increasing public safety while reducing fuel consumption 

3. Introduction of a grant for bicycles, ebikes & cargobikes for parents with children in primary & secondary schools

4. Utilise the new two-week, Section 38 guidance to immediately roll out safe cycle track infrastructure throughout the Greater Dublin Area; facilitating people to switch from their cars

5. Fast-track vehicle idling legislation to stop tradespeople & parents from wasting fuel and needlessly causing increased air pollution

6. Introduce mandatory penalty points for driving in bus lanes to stop delays & increase their reliability, alongside a rapid rollout of bus lane enforcement cameras

7. Mandatory hours for Gardai in order to maximise the effectiveness of our public transport network

Government needs to respond to the latest oil crisis, but they can also choose to save commuters time and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while doing so. The price of oil will continue to rise in the coming years and decades, the M50 congestion will continue getting worse, and by all accounts, we will fail to meet our 2030 climate reduction targets. 

Instead of a minor tax cut that will still leave people suffering the rising cost of living, we are calling for tangible measures which will not only give them financial relief, but also improve the quality of their lives and the environment at the same time.

Chairperson Jason Cullen has said:

“The latest global oil crisis is not unexpected nor surprising, but the Government can choose how we respond to it. We’d much rather see targeted measures enabling people to make better choices about their commute, rather than perpetuating their continued reliance on the private car.

The solution to the rising cost of oil is never going to be tax reduction; it’s better cycling infrastructure, and more frequent & reliable public transport, or even the removal of people’s need to travel through work from home reforms.”