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Free Public Transport for Pope Francis Mass

245

Comments

  • #52
    Computer Science Student
    Registered Users Posts: 225 ✭✭Computer Science Student


    Praise the lord


  • #53
    Under His Eye
    Closed Accounts Posts: 907 ✭✭✭Under His Eye


    The lord has no place in this republic.

    Might head down the 4 courts and ask one of the judges what he thinks of the situation.


  • #54
    donaldtramp
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 224 ✭✭donaldtramp


    SteM wrote: »
    He's a contrarian, I wouldn't bother engaging because he'll only drag you down to his level.

    There's no way this won't be a free for all. The tickets are print at home tickets as far as I'm aware, no reason that someone couldn't print off multiple tickets and use them on public transport. There's no way that amount of tickets will be checked on the day, how could they?

    And you're a populist. You are just regurgitating the points which have already been made by opposition in the government and have been answered very clearly. Obviously you don't pay any attention to current affairs and just complain about every decision the government makes just like every other populist, keep following the crowd I guess, it's gotten us pretty far thus far, hasn't it?


  • #55
    Charles Babbage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,897 ✭✭✭Charles Babbage


    This is a bit like the toll gates on the M7 being open last week after the hurling. An unusual tidal flow.


  • #56
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Charles Babbage wrote: »
    This is a bit like the toll gates on the M7 being open last week after the hurling. An unusual tidal flow.

    Toll operators on modern contracts are obliged to keep queues below a max length. This was done after the M50.

    Opening the gates is a decision on how to handle queues by a private firm; this is unconstitutional state aid to a religion


  • #57
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 27,270 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    L1011 wrote: »
    Opening the gates is a decision on how to handle queues by a private firm; this is unconstitutional state aid to a religion

    Seriously, how on earth is this state aid to a religion?? The church doesn't give a toss how people get to the mass and couldn't care less if there are massive tailbacks and traffic chaos caused by the event.

    This is a traffic management decision to encourage people to use public transport, particularly considering a large amount of them will likely be driving up from the country already. This was announced significantly after the tickets were all allocated so its not like it was a factor in people's decision to go.


  • #58
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Allinall


    L1011 wrote: »

    Opening the gates is a decision on how to handle queues by a private firm; this is unconstitutional state aid to a religion

    How on earth did you come to that conclusion?


  • #59
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,181 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Gardai warn of doomsday scenario for Pope's Knock visit: Crowds may be forced to walk up to 12km unless they forgo cars
    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-warn-of-doomsday-scenario-for-popes-knock-visit-crowds-may-be-forced-to-walk-up-to-12km-unless-they-forgo-cars-37179159.html

    91% of people claiming tickets said they would get there by car. well organised, guys.
    i would guess (hope) the percentage is smaller for dublin, but i'm going to be making any plans for that weekend. up to a quarter of a million cars trying to get to the same venue at the same time.


  • #60
    work
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 661 ✭✭✭work


    Stephen15 wrote: »
    Can the mods separate posts which are off topic on this forum. There shouldn't be any political or religious posts here which may be better suited to other forums such as After Hours or Politics Cafe as this thread should be purely to do with the transport situation regarding the pope visit. Thanks.
    How is it off topic to note it is not on using all our citizens money to give free travel to the blinkered folk that support this wealthy abusive organisation. Obviously we want the city to keep moving that day. It is appalling the event goers are not paying though.


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  • #61
    work
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 661 ✭✭✭work


    Stephen15 wrote: »
    Can the mods separate posts which are off topic on this forum. There shouldn't be any political or religious posts here which may be better suited to other forums such as After Hours or Politics Cafe as this thread should be purely to do with the transport situation regarding the pope visit. Thanks.
    How is it off topic to note it is not on using all our citizens money to give free travel to the blinkered folk that support this wealthy abusive organisation. Obviously we want the city to keep moving that day. It is appalling the event goers are not paying though.


  • #62
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Allinall wrote: »
    How on earth did you come to that conclusion?

    Providing free transport to those who have tickets to a religious event is providing a benefit to that religion


  • #63
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Allinall


    L1011 wrote: »
    Providing free transport to those who have tickets to a religious event is providing a benefit to that religion

    So is sweeping the roads outside churches; street lights outside churches; pedestrian crossing strategically positioned outside churches etc. etc.

    Your unconditional nonsense is just that. Nonsense


  • #64
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Allinall wrote: »
    So is sweeping the roads outside churches; street lights outside churches; pedestrian crossing strategically positioned outside churches etc. etc.

    Your unconditional nonsense is just that. Nonsense

    None of your things are provided to the exclusion of others

    This is blatantly illegal


  • #65
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Allinall


    L1011 wrote: »
    None of your things are provided to the exclusion of others

    This is blatantly illegal

    Free travel passes are provided for OAPs to the exclusion of others.

    A lot of them use the passes to get to mass.

    Are they illegal ?

    By the way, there is a huge difference between something being unconstitutional and illegal .


  • #66
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,181 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Allinall wrote: »
    Free travel passes are provided for OAPs to the exclusion of others.

    A lot of them use the passes to get to mass.
    every example you've given is so far off target it's bizarre.


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  • #67
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,181 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    anyway, can pope francis not arrange a 'loaves and the fishes' miracle with public transport?
    surely he can have a word with the big lad to increase capacity on a luas to 1,500 per tram. and park 50,000 cars in the papal cross car park.


  • #68
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Allinall wrote: »
    Free travel passes are provided for OAPs to the exclusion of others.

    A lot of them use the passes to get to mass.

    Are they illegal ?

    By the way, there is a huge difference between something being unconstitutional and illegal .

    OAPs are not a religion. Your examples make no sense.


  • #69
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 27,270 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    work wrote: »
    Paying for people to get to this is state aid. Fact. It is a disgrace this nation should pay anything toward the gombeens going to see a misogynistic, self serving, homophobic, paedophilic protectionist cult.

    No it isn't. Fact. :rolleyes:

    There are more "gombeens" going to this than have gone to any event in recent Irish history. It requires extraordinary measures. The measure was decided upon after the number of people who indicated they were planning on driving was utterly infeasible. This is going to benefit those in Dublin not going to the event as much as anyone else.


  • #70
    work
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 661 ✭✭✭work


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    work wrote: »
    Paying for people to get to this is state aid. Fact. It is a disgrace this nation should pay anything toward the gombeens going to see a misogynistic, self serving, homophobic, paedophilic protectionist cult.

    No it isn't. Fact. :rolleyes:

    There are more "gombeens" going to this than have gone to any event in recent Irish history. It requires extraordinary measures. The measure was decided upon after the number of people who indicated they were planning on driving was utterly infeasible. This is going to benefit those in Dublin not going to the event as much as anyone else.
    If the taxpayer is going to foot the bill how is it not being paid by the state or state aided..... I really do not understand. Who is paying for it in your opinion? If you are right and it is not fact the state is going to aid people getting to this then please explain it to me. Otherwise you are spouting drivel.


  • #71
    Shedite27
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,428 ✭✭✭Shedite27


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    Gardai warn of doomsday scenario for Pope's Knock visit: Crowds may be forced to walk up to 12km unless they forgo cars
    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-warn-of-doomsday-scenario-for-popes-knock-visit-crowds-may-be-forced-to-walk-up-to-12km-unless-they-forgo-cars-37179159.html

    91% of people claiming tickets said they would get there by car. well organised, guys.
    IS that not the way it should work? Figure out how many people need transport, then plan transport requirements around that figure :confused:


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  • #72
    Shedite27
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,428 ✭✭✭Shedite27


    work wrote: »
    How is it off topic .....
    work wrote: »
    the blinkered folk that support this wealthy abusive organisation.
    work wrote: »
    gombeens going to see a misogynistic, self serving, homophobic, paedophilic protectionist cult.

    This is a transport forum. Your just shouting abuse at people who follow religion. Go on to the religion forum if you want to be a keyboard warrior about religion
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=526


  • #73
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 50,181 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Shedite27 wrote: »
    IS that not the way it should work? Figure out how many people need transport, then plan transport requirements around that figure :confused:
    'figure out how many people need transport' - they *know* they're going to have 45,000.
    if you're trying to get that many people to the event, you know the *minimum* number of people you'll need to ship in via PT or buses, etc.
    why not organise that first?
    if you've not arranged transport, of course people are going to assume they'll have to drive there.


  • #74
    RobbingBandit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,191 ✭✭✭✭RobbingBandit


    I'd call it immoral rather than illegal feel sorry for any usual commuting public that weekend trying to get to work especially along the quays in Dublin city centre ugggggggggh thats gonna be nasty


  • #75
    Shedite27
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,428 ✭✭✭Shedite27


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    'figure out how many people need transport' - they *know* they're going to have 45,000.
    if you're trying to get that many people to the event, you know the *minimum* number of people you'll need to ship in via PT or buses, etc.
    why not organise that first?
    if you've not arranged transport, of course people are going to assume they'll have to drive there.
    Yeah but every parish in the country is running busses to the event. I'd have expected far less than 90% to be driving in private cars.


  • #76
    john boye
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,588 ✭✭✭john boye


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    Gardai warn of doomsday scenario for Pope's Knock visit: Crowds may be forced to walk up to 12km unless they forgo cars
    https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-warn-of-doomsday-scenario-for-popes-knock-visit-crowds-may-be-forced-to-walk-up-to-12km-unless-they-forgo-cars-37179159.html

    They should do it in their bare feet too for the full pilgrimage experience.


  • #77
    Hotblack Desiato
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,492 ✭✭✭✭Hotblack Desiato


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    It requires extraordinary measures.

    I don't think anyone disagrees with that. But that's not a reason for the taxpayer to pick up the tab for a private event. Afaik they're not even paying the OPW for the use of the park.
    This is going to benefit those in Dublin not going to the event as much as anyone else.

    This event is going to be massively disruptive for everyone in Dublin, and it's not even a State visit. Whoever came up with the idea of allowing 600,000 should be shot.

    Scrap the cap!



  • #78
    monument
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 14,088 Mod ✭✭✭✭monument


    This warning applies to everyone...
    Shedite27 wrote: »
    This is a transport forum. Your just shouting abuse at people who follow religion. Go on to the religion forum if you want to be a keyboard warrior about religion
    https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=526

    Any more back seat moderating will not be tolerated.

    The moderators will act as soon as we can — please use the report a post feature. Back seat moding is more serious and that will be dealt with first, so, you’re distracting us from dealing with the issue you have.

    — moderator


  • #79
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 27,270 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    Hotblack Desiato wrote: »
    I don't think anyone disagrees with that. But that's not a reason for the taxpayer to pick up the tab for a private event. Afaik they're not even paying the OPW for the use of the park.



    This event is going to be massively disruptive for everyone in Dublin, and it's not even a State visit. Whoever came up with the idea of allowing 600,000 should be shot.

    I don't entirely disagree. More stringent requirements probably should have been laid down at the outset. This does comes across slightly like a panicked reaction to the unexpectedly high projection of car usage.

    That said, there is clearly overwhelming public interest in the event taking place and regardless of individual views on it that is hard to deny. Refusing the pope a visit ain't gonna be much of a vote winner for anyone.


  • #80
    Podge_irl
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 27,270 Mod ✭✭✭✭Podge_irl


    work wrote: »
    If the taxpayer is going to foot the bill how is it not being paid by the state or state aided..... I really do not understand. Who is paying for it in your opinion? If you are right and it is not fact the state is going to aid people getting to this then please explain it to me. Otherwise you are spouting drivel.

    I never said the taxpayer won't foot the bill. They are still discussing funding arrangements as far as I'm aware.

    If the state does pay that still doesn't make it "state aid to a religion". It's a public transport/traffic measure to try and make sure the city doesn't grind to a halt. Perhaps it should have been made a condition of the original application to host the event but that is in the past. The church doesn't give a hoot how people get there. If you live in Dublin and want to actually be able to use the city that day then this should be viewed as a good thing.


  • #81
    Carawaystick
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭Carawaystick


    Podge_irl wrote: »
    I never said the taxpayer won't foot the bill. They are still discussing funding arrangements as far as I'm aware.

    If the state does pay that still doesn't make it "state aid to a religion". It's a public transport/traffic measure to try and make sure the city doesn't grind to a halt.

    It's completely a state aid to a particular religion. The people organising the event should be made pay for the costs of the event. Including funding public transport to reduce the external impacts of their event.

    Or Not be allowed organise such a disruptive event.


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  • #82
    Muahahaha
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,688 ✭✭✭✭Muahahaha


    Anyone think that if the public dont heed warnings to use buses to travel there could be utter chaos? At least its on a Sunday I suppose but if even half of the proposed 500,000 show up in cars then it could be a disaster


  • #83
    KD345
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,179 ✭✭✭KD345


    I really can't understand why the NTA and tax payers are paying for free public transport for this. People attend private events across the city every day and have to pay their fare - why should it be different here?

    Every St. Patrick's Day, 500,000 people come into Dublin city centre to view the parade. The NTA provide a Sunday service and everyone pays their fare. How are the 500,000 people attending the phoenix park more deserving of free public transport than the 500,000 people attending the biggest annual event in the city? Not only are the passengers heading to the Pope's mass getting a free bus, they will have every bus in the fleet rolled out to them.

    If this is a new policy by the NTA then fair enough, but if we don't see a similar arrangement next March then you'd have to question what exactly justifies this free, enhanced public transport.


  • #84
    Jamie2k9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,756 ✭✭✭✭Jamie2k9


    KD345 wrote: »
    I really can't understand why the NTA and tax payers are paying for free public transport for this. People attend private events across the city every day and have to pay their fare - why should it be different here?

    Every St. Patrick's Day, 500,000 people come into Dublin city centre to view the parade. The NTA provide a Sunday service and everyone pays their fare. How are the 500,000 people attending the phoenix park more deserving of free public transport than the 500,000 people attending the biggest annual event in the city? Not only are the passengers heading to the Pope's mass getting a free bus, they will have every bus in the fleet rolled out to them.

    If this is a new policy by the NTA then fair enough, but if we don't see a similar arrangement next March then you'd have to question what exactly justifies this free, enhanced public transport.

    Its simple the NTA have no choice but to pay, huge volume of people will be pass holders and there is no incentive for operators to deploy extra capacity unless the NTA pay them to do so.


  • #85
    Stephen15
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭Stephen15


    KD345 wrote: »
    I really can't understand why the NTA and tax payers are paying for free public transport for this. People attend private events across the city every day and have to pay their fare - why should it be different here?

    Every St. Patrick's Day, 500,000 people come into Dublin city centre to view the parade. The NTA provide a Sunday service and everyone pays their fare. How are the 500,000 people attending the phoenix park more deserving of free public transport than the 500,000 people attending the biggest annual event in the city? Not only are the passengers heading to the Pope's mass getting a free bus, they will have every bus in the fleet rolled out to them.

    If this is a new policy by the NTA then fair enough, but if we don't see a similar arrangement next March then you'd have to question what exactly justifies this free, enhanced public transport.

    I suppose for St.Patricks a fair whack of those 500,000 are tourists who are staying in/near the city centre so they don't need to use buses or trains whereas for an event like this it's out in Phoenix Park where most people attending will have to travel to and from.

    I'm not sure if making it free is good idea or not but I suppose it reduces dwell times for the day as many of the people using the public transport on the day may not have leap cards and anyway there may be a fair amount of pushing and shoving to get to the validators and ticket machines on buses and in rail and Luas stations.


  • #86
    KD345
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,179 ✭✭✭KD345


    Jamie2k9 wrote: »
    Its simple the NTA have no choice but to pay, huge volume of people will be pass holders and there is no incentive for operators to deploy extra capacity unless the NTA pay them to do so.

    The NTA rule over every public transport service in the state. The operators do not collect fare box revenue - so they're being paid the same if fares were collected or not.

    Why are the 500,000 passengers traveling to the World Meeting Of Families more deserving of free transport and an enhanced service compared to the 500,000 people coming into the city for St. Patrick's Day who pay their fare and are given a Sunday service, which can be a severe reduction in service on some routes.


  • #87
    Jamie2k9
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,756 ✭✭✭✭Jamie2k9


    KD345 wrote: »
    The NTA rule over every public transport service in the state. The operators do not collect fare box revenue - so they're being paid the same if fares were collected or not.

    Why are the 500,000 passengers traveling to the World Meeting Of Families more deserving of free transport and an enhanced service compared to the 500,000 people coming into the city for St. Patrick's Day who pay their fare and are given a Sunday service, which can be a severe reduction in service on some routes.

    Incorrect the current public service is a contract to provide whats provided now, any extra bus/tram/tram is not funded by the NTA and a commercial decision for the operator who also have to pay the NTA a fee to use a train for example. The fare revenue is deduced from the contract costs in the case of CIE.

    They could add lots of services but there is no guarantee they will break even or make a profit. there is no extra services for Patrick's Day celebrations.


  • #88
    Stephen15
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭Stephen15


    KD345 wrote: »
    The NTA rule over every public transport service in the state. The operators do not collect fare box revenue - so they're being paid the same if fares were collected or not.

    Only Transdev are on this model and Go-Ahead will be. DB, BE and IE may move to this model next year but for the moment they keep the Farebox revenue.


  • #89
    KD345
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,179 ✭✭✭KD345


    Stephen15 wrote: »
    I suppose for St.Patricks a fair whack of those 500,000 are tourists who are staying in/near the city centre so they don't need to use buses or trains whereas for an event like this it's out in Phoenix Park where most people attending will have to travel to and from.

    I'm not sure if making it free is good idea or not but I suppose it reduces dwell times for the day as many of the people using the public transport on the day may not have leap cards and anyway there may be a fair amount of pushing and shoving to get to the validators and ticket machines on buses and in rail and Luas stations.

    According to Failte Ireland, in 2016, of the 500,000 attendees of the St. Patrick's Day parade, approx 105,000 were tourists. That's just about 20% of the overall amount. How many of those attending the Phoenix Park event will also be staying in hotels or with family, I'm guessing a similar number.

    We're not even talking about a free shuttle service here - this is every train, bus and tram in the city free to use for anyone with a ticket to this event.
    Jamie2k9 wrote: »
    Incorrect the current public service is a contract to provide whats provided now, any extra bus/tram/tram is not funded by the NTA and a commercial decision for the operator who also have to pay the NTA a fee to use a train for example. The fare revenue is deduced from the contract costs in the case of CIE.

    They could add lots of services but there is no guarantee they will break even or make a profit. there is no extra services for Patrick's Day celebrations.

    Regardless of actually who collects the fares, it is funded by the taxpayer.

    I still can't see a valid reason why 500,000 passengers attending the Phoenix Park mass are more entitled free travel than the 500,000 passengers travelling to the St. Patrick's Day parade.


  • #90
    Charles Babbage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,897 ✭✭✭Charles Babbage


    L1011 wrote: »
    Toll operators on modern contracts are obliged to keep queues below a max length. This was done after the M50.

    Opening the gates is a decision on how to handle queues by a private firm; this is unconstitutional state aid to a religion


    This is fundamentally an attempt to move a lot of people as quickly as possible. It is support for taxpayers in an unusual situation, I don' t see why it could not also be done where there was 500,000 at another event including St Patrick's day.
    After all, both events follow on from St Patrick.


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  • #91
    AlanG
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,432 ✭✭✭AlanG


    People talking about 500,000 attending the St patricks day parade in Dublin are way off the mark - one press release said UP TO 500,000 and it was repeated in lots of media outlets - there is nowhere near that amount and most of those attending tend to be tourists or those living in the city center.
    Any large event run in the state gets a lot of Police and transport support as it is the function of the state to serve the citizens of the state. If 10% of those citizens want to attend a visit from a head of state then it is the job of the state to provide support as they see fit - that is the sort of thing a state exists for. It makes sense to provide free transport and it has been done for plenty of events in Ireland before. Lots of town provide free park and ride facilities to prevent congestion - it is very common in tourist sites on the continent.


  • #92
    ohnonotgmail
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,513 ✭✭✭✭ohnonotgmail


    AlanG wrote: »
    People talking about 500,000 attending the St patricks day parade in Dublin are way off the mark - one press release said UP TO 500,000 and it was repeated in lots of media outlets - there is nowhere near that amount and most of those attending tend to be tourists or those living in the city center.
    Any large event run in the state gets a lot of Police and transport support as it is the function of the state to serve the citizens of the state. If 10% of those citizens want to attend a visit from a head of state then it is the job of the state to provide support as they see fit - that is the sort of thing a state exists for. It makes sense to provide free transport and it has been done for plenty of events in Ireland before. Lots of town provide free park and ride facilities to prevent congestion - it is very common in tourist sites on the continent.


    can you remind me of a time when free public transport was provided for an event in dublin? I'm struggling to think of one. Can you also clarify why it makes sense to provide "free" public transport on the day?


  • #93
    L1011
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 69,545 ✭✭✭✭L1011


    AlanG wrote: »
    People talking about 500,000 attending the St patricks day parade in Dublin are way off the mark - one press release said UP TO 500,000 and it was repeated in lots of media outlets - there is nowhere near that amount and most of those attending tend to be tourists or those living in the city center.
    Any large event run in the state gets a lot of Police and transport support as it is the function of the state to serve the citizens of the state. If 10% of those citizens want to attend a visit from a head of state then it is the job of the state to provide support as they see fit - that is the sort of thing a state exists for. It makes sense to provide free transport and it has been done for plenty of events in Ireland before. Lots of town provide free park and ride facilities to prevent congestion - it is very common in tourist sites on the continent.

    It isn't a state visit. He is here in a private capacity for a private event


  • #94
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,264 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    ohnonotgmail wrote: »
    can you remind me of a time when free public transport was provided for an event in dublin? I'm struggling to think of one. Can you also clarify why it makes sense to provide "free" public transport on the day?

    To stop hundreds of thousands of extra cars descending on the city?


  • #95
    ohnonotgmail
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,513 ✭✭✭✭ohnonotgmail


    spurious wrote: »
    To stop hundreds of thousands of extra cars descending on the city?


    why does it have to be free?


  • #96
    n!ghtmancometh
    Registered Users Posts: 407 ✭✭n!ghtmancometh


    When Obama gave his speech on College Green a few years back PT wasn't free, and he was actually a head of state. Joke that the church can still get away with this sort of stuff.


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  • #97
    uptherebels
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,738 ✭✭✭uptherebels


    n!ghtmancometh wrote: »
    When Obama gave his speech on College Green a few years back PT wasn't free, and he was actually a head of state. Joke that the church can still get away with this sort of stuff.

    Well the cynic in me imagines there is some 'good catholics' in the NTA or wherever this decision was made that got this pushed through. To maximise turn up, so that the RCC can try pretend it holds some position of significance in this country


  • #98
    Arcade_Tryer
    Registered Users Posts: 2,021 ✭✭✭Arcade_Tryer


    uptherebels wrote: »
    Well the cynic in me imagines there is some 'good catholics' in the NTA or wherever this decision was made that got this pushed through. To maximise turn up, so that the RCC can try pretend it holds some position of significance in this country
    Not really 'good catholics' but rather senior civil servants and politicians acknowledging the historical significance of this visit and viewing Ireland as still a strongly Catholic State in many respects and according to Census data.


  • #99
    Under His Eye
    Closed Accounts Posts: 907 ✭✭✭Under His Eye


    Census Data? Oh noes, that can't be anywhere be remotely accurate.


  • #100
    Allinall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Allinall


    Under His Eye wrote: »
    Census Data? Oh noes, that can't be anywhere be remotely accurate.

    I’d imagine it’s a lot more accurate than a straw poll of boards posters.


  • #101
    KD345
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,179 ✭✭✭KD345


    AlanG wrote: »
    It makes sense to provide free transport and it has been done for plenty of events in Ireland before. Lots of town provide free park and ride facilities to prevent congestion - it is very common in tourist sites on the continent.

    Which events? Can you detail when this has happened in Dublin?
    We’re not talking about a free shuttle bus, this is every bus train and tram.

    Why should someone going shopping that day be forced to pay their fare when the next passenger going to a mass can travel for free on the same bus/tram/train?


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