71, Wilton Road,

Cork
1st June 2015
Mr Geoff Emerson,
Clifton Scannell Emerson,
Consulting Engineers.
Castledawson Avenue,
Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

Re: Wilton Road /Cork Sustainable Transport

Dear Geoff,
Thank you for taking time to attend our recent presentation highlighting the
negative and dangerous aspects of the bus lane installation on Wilton Road in
Cork.
We would like to reemphasise that apart from the unintended consequences
and dangers to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers as outlined in our
presentation, we believe that imposing truncated and confusing bus lanes
such as the 208 route on an unsuitable and narrow roadway, interspersed
with 15 sets of traffic lights between Curraheen and the congested city
centre, will never achieve the projected results. Common sense alone will
indicate that any few seconds picked up by buses on the bus lane are lost
due to total non-compliance with the regulation of the bus lane by private car
owners during operating periods, and waiting time at the traffic lights at
Dennehys Cross and other intersections.
Another serious consequence of the imposition of the bus lane is that cyclists,
because of the danger and lack of space on the road, are forced to cycle in
both directions on the narrow 1.2m wide footpaths to the constant detriment
of pedestrians. Many cyclists, including members of our committee and also
in the Bishopstown and Curraheen communities, have stopped cycling
because of the inherent dangers and have reverted to private car use.
While the presentation concentrated on the 208 bus lane, we now understand
that your remit also includes all aspects of sustainable transport in the South
West region. We would like to draw your attention therefore to concerns

relating to the overall cost of the so called Green Routes as well as the cost,
sustainability and commercial viability of the Bus Eireann (BE) business plan
and scheduling on bus lanes in Cork city and county.
The overall cost of the nine Green Routes and associated works is a
staggering 176.2 million to date according to documentation received under
FOI (enclosed). This expenditure appears to be grossly excessive and
wasteful, particularly as it has resulted in a mere 6% increase in BE
passenger numbers in the Cork area. It is significant that the Minister for
Transport, the NTA and Cork City Council have failed to address this critical
issue.
As well as this expenditure of 176.2 million, BE has replaced the majority of
its fleet with new double decker buses at huge cost of public funds and has
increased the frequency, also at huge cost, from 20 minute to 10 minute
intervals throughout each day apart from Sundays on the 208 route. No doubt
similar unsustainable scheduling occurs on other routes. Unfortunately BE is
not subject to FOI for commercial reasons.
We have written to Bus Eireann and to the NTA on a number of occasions
questioning the sustainability and viability of their operation as we
continually observe that the 10 minute interval scheduling is unworkable,
inefficient and unnecessary. On each occasion we have been fobbed off with
the usual group think response.
Daily, buses can be seen on the 208 route travelling in convoys of two and
sometimes three at the exact same time. As a result the follow on buses are
empty or with very few passengers. We have also observed, apart from the
busier times in the mornings and evenings, that buses are generally carrying
very few passengers, and that for some reason, BE insists on running empty
buses at ten minute interval scheduling extending up to and after 11.30pm
every day.
The same 10 minute scheduling is maintained throughout Saturdays, again
until 11.30pm, even when it is clearly unwarranted as there is no demand.
We believe, more particularly at the weekends, that there is no rational,
commercial or social requirement for such a frequent service.
While accepting that Bus Eireann does have a social service requirement, we
have pointed out that the scheduling should be more nuanced and demand
led rather than the lazy, unnecessary and wasteful blanket schedules
operated at present.
Our overall concern is that the total expenditure of something of the order of
200 million on just nine bus lanes and the provision of a new fleet, not to
mention extra staff, fuel and fixed overhead costs, is grossly excessive, poor
value for money and a disgraceful waste of public monies.
We would ask you therefore, as part of your independent professional study,

to also investigate all matters raised by us and to conduct a cost benefit

analysis of the overall expenditure as well as the management and
scheduling of BE.
We are taking the liberty of sending you copies of the videos shown at the
presentation by email.
John Leahy
On behalf of Wilton Residents Association.
Cc, Lord Mayor, Cork City Council, Cork City Councillors, Wilton Residents.
An Garda Siochana, The NTA, Simon Coveney TD, Jerry Buttimer TD
Enclosures: (1) Cost estimates Green Route Networks, (2)Table N2 Cost
Estimates Green Routes
(3)Letter to Mr Warnock- Smith NTA