The Government should do more to encourage commuters away from private transport and should have made more use of European Car Free Day on Monday as a means of achieving that goal, according to the Green Party.
"It is a terrible pity that we are doing so little," said its transport spokesman, Mr Eamon Ryan, yesterday.
"It is such an important day to demonstrate to people that there is an alternative to the car through public transport, walking, and cycling," he said.
Despite the Government's poor reaction to the occasion, members of the public should leave their cars at home, Mr Ryan suggested.
Dublin Bus is laying on free services throughout Dublin from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The company also plans to give away over 20,000 free pre-paid tickets at busy traffic junctions and bus stops around the city.
Bus Éireann will also waive its charges on many services throughout the Republic on Monday.
All scheduled city/town services in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Sligo and Athlone will be free of charge from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
There will be a free park'n'ride service in Waterford from the Regional Sports Centre, every half-hour from 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A free town service will also operate in Balbriggan from the railway station at 6.50 a.m., 7.20 a.m. and every 20 minutes thereafter to 7 p.m.
Bus Éireann said it hoped the free services would provide an opportunity to sample public transport for people who do not usually use it.
European Car Free Day was started in 1998 by the French Environment Minister, Ms Dominique Voynet.
An estimated 100 million people in 37 countries across Europe took part in the day in 2002.
In Cork, Clonakilty is the only town in the county which will be taking part.
From noon until 6 p.m. the main town-centre street, Pearse Street, will be closed to traffic.
Priority will be given to pedestrians and cyclists.
Public service vehicles such as buses, taxis and hackneys will have normal access.
The travel initiative is being organised by Clonakilty Town Council.
Street entertainment is also planned for the day along with free parking for those forced to leave their cars out of the town centre.
A temporary bicycle-parking rack will also be available in the town.
