Car Free Day

Victor

http://www.buseireann.ie/site/news_centre/news_briefs.asp?action=view&news_id=377

European Car Free Day 2005.

Travel Advice Centre

A Travel Advice Centre will be set up in Dublin at the top of South King Street (junction Grafton St.) on 20th – 22nd September inclusive from 8am to 6pm, for further information please visit www.clevercommuting.ie.

Bus Éireann along with Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, RPA, CTTC, Dublin City Council, Department Of Transport and DTO will participate in promoting transport services.

Transport Activities

Provincial
Cork: All scheduled City Services free of charge between 10am and 4pm
Limerick: All scheduled City Services free of charge between 10am and 4pm
Galway: All scheduled City Services free of charge between 10am and 4pm
Waterford: All scheduled City Services free of charge between 10am and 4pm
Sligo: All scheduled City Services free of charge all day
Dundalk: All scheduled Town Services free of charge all day
Drogheda: All scheduled Town Services free of charge all day

Greater Dublin Area
Balbriggan: Proposed new Town Service to operate free of charge all day
6.50am – 7.00pm every 12/15 minutes
Route: Railway Station – Convent Lane – Drogheda Street –
Hamlet Lane (vis Moylaragh, Clonuske, Bremore, Trimelston,
Brega) – Inner Relief Road –Dublin Street – Drogheda Starrt
– Railway Station

Ashbourne – Ratoath – Blanchardstown:
Recently introduced service - free of charge all day.

Timetable
Ashbourne (Kelly’s) 08.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 16.00 18.00
Ratoath (Auld Stand) 08.10 10.10 12.10 14.10 16.10 18.10
Blanchardstown S.C. 08.40 10.40 12.40 14.40 16.40 18.40

Blanchardstown S.C 09.00 11.00 13.00 15.00 17.00 19.00
Ratoath (Auld Stand) 09.30 11.30 13.30 15.30 17.30 19.30
Ashbourne (Kelly’s) 09.40 11.40 13.40 15.40 17.40 19.40

Wicklow – Bray – Sandyford:
Launch of new service on 3 month trial basis – free of charge all day

Timetable
Wicklow 07.00 12.00 17.00
Bray 07.35 12.35 17.35
Sandyford Industrial Estate 08.00 13.00 18.00
Sandyford Luas Terminal 08.10 13.10 18.10

Sandyford Luas Terminal 08.15 13.15 18.15
Sandyford Industrial Estate 08.25 13.25 18.25
Bray 08.50 13.50 18.50
Wicklow 09.25 14.25 19.25

Naas – Newbridge:
All scheduled services between Naas and Newbridge free of charge all day.

Victor

http://www.buseireann.ie/site/news_centre/press_releases.asp?action=view&news_id=378

Bus Éireann News Release

On European Car Free Day 2005, Thursday, September 22nd, Bus Éireann is offering customers FREE TRAVEL.

To celebrate the occasion, Bus Éireann City services in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford will be free of charge between 10.00hrs and 16.00hrs. Town services in Sligo, Dundalk and Drogheda will be free all day and in the Greater Dublin Area, the following services will operate free all day:

* Bus Éireann’s Balbriggan Town service
* Bus Éireann’s Ashbourne to Blanchardstown service
* Bus Éireann’s new Wicklow via Bray to Sandyford service
* Bus Éireann’s Naas to Newbridge shuttle service

“The aim of Car Free Day is to encourage motorists to explore alternatives to travelling by car. It aims to raise awareness of other options, such as taking the bus, which is a cost-effective, hassle-free and environmentally friendly way to travel. Car Free Day represents an opportunity for people who may not usually use public transport to try the extensive range of city and town services operated by Bus Éireann,” said Spokesperson, Erica Roseingrave.

More information about the products and services available to people wishing to make the switch to public transport can be obtained at Travel Advice Centre being run by the DTO from Tuesday Sept 20th to Thursday Sept 22nd inclusive (8am – 6pm) at the junction of Grafton Street and South King Street.

Bus Éireann, along with other transport providers, will be on hand to provide information to the public about our Commuter services and products including the Employer Pass Programme, which offers employees tax efficient travel and Ten Journey Commuter Tickets, which result in substantial cost savings for commuters.

Car Free Day is sponsored by the Department of Environment and Local Government and the Department of Transport.

During the last five years Bus Éireann has modernised its city bus fleet by placing in service new buses, which are low-floor and fully accessible to the mobility impaired. The company’s city fleet is one of the most modern in Europe with 90% of the fleet less than five years old.

In line with the objectives of the National Development Plan, city services have been expanded to meet the changing needs of city commuters. The number of departures on the Bus Éireann city network has been increased by on average 35% over the past five years.

Traffic congestion, however, continues to inhibit the provision of quality city bus services and Bus Éireann is pressing for the introduction of bus priority measures on all major corridors served by city bus services. Such measures are a feature of urban areas throughout Europe and ensure that investment in new buses and services is well spent.

Issued By:
Media & Public Relations, Bus Éireann, Dublin 7

cyclopath2001

Nothing much for cyclists in this PR-fest.

The PR says one thing but the councils do something quite different. I see that while building some very poor-quality cycle lanes along the Howth Road, the City Council removed cycle lanes in on the Malahide Road Donneycarney. Meanwhile both Dublin City and Fingal councils continue to operate unlawful cycle-tracks in an number of locations.

Wouldn't it be great if for 'car-free' day, just for the day at least, they suspended the laws that allow cars to drive and park in cycle lanes?

Now that would be progress.

dmeehan

what towns & cities are taking part in car free day?
or do they not block of town centres any more and just offer free bus services?

Trampas

People usually drive on car free day as people think will get the bus instead and will drive cause less cars on the road

FergusF

I agree with cyclopath, it is more a PR fest than an effort to actually make a car-free day.

Did anyone hear the Morning Ireland report today - reps from both Cork and Dublin city councils were interviewed. In Cork they have pedestrianised some streets (Oliver Plunkett and side streets) for the week, also they have made a park & ride facility free of charge, they said they were getting double the usual # of users. It seems to be the only city actually doing something practical to reduce city traffic.

In Dublin no street closures but they were giving out vouchers for fitness / health related shops to people seen walking / cycling or car-pooling, didn't catch all the details.

The free city bus schemes as listed above are a bit of a joke since they are only free between 10AM and 4PM so few commuters will be able to take advantage and rush hour traffic will not change.

There was a great explanation for this in today's Galway Independent - the bus rep explained to the reporter that Galway buses were already at capacity during the morning and evening rush hours so if they provided free fares that would result in people being left behind as the system wouldn't be able to cope with the demand. Not sure exactly how this is supposed to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport for the day!

jlang

Not sure exactly how this is supposed to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport for the day!

No, but as you said, it is a great explanation. They're not going to get extra busses just for one day so they can transport extra people around for free. If you usually take the bus, and find that on car free day you can't get on the bus because other users have taken the seat you'd usually get (and for free!!) and you were late to work because of it, you'd be pretty annoyed, especially if you had paid for a weekly ticket.

jman0

What Galway could do is ask the private sector to provide the extra buses.
While it's really nice of the city to subsidise people's journey on public transport, they don't really have to. What they could do, is position some Gards at key points and charge motorists a few euro to enter the city on the day, and charge a fiver for single drivers.

skywalker_208

Car free day is a joke... 10am to 4am? and this is supposed to encourage people to leave their cars at home? sounds like something you would see on the simpsons...

Cork have a good idea with the free park and ride.. seem to be the only ones taking it seriously....

mike65

Well listening to reports and being in Limerick and Waterford today I can say nothing was any diff to normal. Its Cart before Horsecrap as usual. 'If they build it people will come' (to borrow a phase) but if they don't - cars will rule.

Mike.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

DubTony

Somebody from Limerick council on the radio said that Limerick had decided not to take part in car free day.

To give an idea of the effect of car free day in my area ... Firhouse Rd at Ballycullen Rd. was backed up to the junction with Knocklyon Rd (thats the northern junction as opposed to the one at Delaneys'), at 5:30pm. 2 sets of lights 50 metres apart. Chaos.
The M50 / N81 junction was gridlocked on 3 sides with cars entering and stopping in the missing yellow boxes (if ya know what I mean).
M50 north was backed up past Scholarstown Interchange (no change there). This morning Ballycullen Rd reminded me of the bad old days when the M50 ended at Firhouse Rd. There were 3 buses in the traffic, but I didn't see how many people were on them.

Lord Mayor / ess (???) was on Matt Coopers show as I sat in the usual mess at Spawell. She seemed to think it was a great idea to give vouchers to people.

"Buh Mah, wee're jus tryin' t'incurridge de peeple ouwa de cars for one daa-ay."

Muppet / ess

I wanted to bring the kid to the creche on the bus, but the Firhouse to Greenhills route must be suspended. I did walk to the shop in Woodstown though. Where's me voucher?

SickCert

I forgot it was today (22nd) and i have to say the quays in dublin were chocker this evening, thats right full of cyclists! NOT. Merrion square was mental too.
I spotted no publicity on it this year apart from boards.ie - i'll be more alert next year i promise.

FergusF

Galway traffic was as bad or worse than ever, the Headford Rd roundabout was nearly at a standstill yesterday evening...luckily I was on the bike so it didn't slow me down much ;-).

Ironically there was a big sign in the middle of the roundabout promoting the day with the slogan 'in town without my car'...

Zaph0d

Maybe we could do a different kind of car free day in future years. Instead of encouraging people not to use their cars to get to work on a business day why not have car free sundays in town?

In Paris from March to November each Sunday from 10am to 5pm, a number of streets are closed to car traffic including the banks of the Seine. The streets fill with bikes, skaters and pedestrians. Anyone who has experienced it (Paris Respire) will testify to how much fun it is.


A 2-lane speedway has become a more human public place with people exercising, strolling and eating picnics on the grass verge by the river.

In Dublin you could shut vehicles out of O'Connell street, Westmoreland Street and Dame Street for a few hours on Sundays in the summer months. What does anyone think of this?

Victor

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=6935&lang=ENG&loc=1850

Commuters encouraged to explore all their travel options as part of ‘In Town Without My Car’ Day
Break line image
20 September 2005

Commuters encouraged to explore all their travel options as part of In Town Without My Car Day

Ministers Roche and Callely to lead programme of events

Commuters in the Greater Dublin Area will be encouraged to explore alternatives to travelling by car this month when Dublin hosts an `In Town Without My Car' day as part of European Mobility Week 2005.

The initiative is aimed at raising awareness of the travel options that are open to commuters including walking, cycling and travel by train, tram and bus. It is hoped that commuters will discover and use the travel options available to them as a first step towards breaking the habit of automatically deciding to travel by car.

A series of promotions have been organised by each of the transport agencies to take place around 'In Town Without My Car' day which takes place on Thursday next, September 22. 34 countries across the globe are participating (list below).

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche TD said: "We have to constantly strive, to encourage awareness and the use of more sustainable forms of transport in the interests of improving our environment. Through our participation in European Mobility Week and In Town Without my Car Day, we continue our integrated effort between my own Department, the Department of Transport and all the relevant bodies to present the sustainable options to the public. It is now time for the people to make the right choice and truly make a difference."

Among the events happening as part of the European wide initiative is the opening of a Travel Advice Centre at South King Street off Grafton Street for three days from Tuesday, September 20 to Thursday, September 22.

The centre will be officially opened by Minister Roche and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Ivor Callely, T.D. on Tuesday next. It will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be staffed by representatives from the Department of Transport, the Dublin Transportation Office, Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann, LUAS, Ianrod Eireann and the Coach, Transport and Tourism Council.

In addition IBEC will host a breakfast seminar in association with the DTO with the theme of 'Mobility Management at the Workplace'. The event takes place on 'In Town Without My Car' day and will be officially opened by Minister Callely.

Minister Callely said: "We are all aware that the amount of time spent commuting to work by car has risen sharply in recent years and we know how much the commuter trip is impacting on our work and personal lives.

"This is an opportunity to explore, in tandem with our European neighbours, alternative options for travel and to see how using public transport, or cycling, or even simply walking, can make our necessary travel a more pleasant and healthier experience."

A number of other events will take place in conjunction with European Mobilty Week 2005 including the launch of new bus routes by Bus Eireann and the introduction of the new LUAS Smartcard. Each of the local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area have also organised a programme of events.

Full details of events taking place and information on all of the travel options available to commuters can be found at a purpose built website which will be hosted for the duration of European Mobility Week. The website address is www.clevercommuting.ie.

jman0

On the way to work on Car Free Day early in the morning i saw an older woman clip the wingmirror of a parked car in a residential area and while it gave her a moment of fright, she kept driving. Both her mirror and the parked cars mirror were hanging by wires. I was directly behind her on my bike so had taken her Reg, thought for a moment about ringing the gards but then thought: sure why would they bother and why should i make myself late?
So then my next thought was: maybe i should leave my mobile number on the parked car to let them know i witnessed who did it and that i have their Reg... but on second thought i was like: sure the bastards live less than 100metres from a LUAS platform, why the hell are they owning and parking and driving a flippin CAR?

loyatemu

jman0 wrote:

sure the bastards live less than 100metres from a LUAS platform, why the hell are they owning and parking and driving a flippin CAR?

yeah, cos the Luas goes everywhere!
why would anyone living near the Luas need a car?

jman0

loyatemu wrote:

yeah, cos the Luas goes everywhere!
why would anyone living near the Luas need a car?

No, the Luas can't take you everywhere, but for a short 10-15 min journey it can take you to a bus that can take you, well...everywhere!