A proposal to help boost public transport

Sir, – On April 17th every year, World Public Transport Day (WPTD) is held to honour the essential role that buses, trains, metros and trams play in local economies. It also recognises that they provide invaluable social connection and environmental stability.

Luxembourg already provides year-round free public transport for all its inhabitants and visitors, but I do not expect Ireland to be as progressive – it might be a step too far for our politicians to take. But they might consider having public transport free for WPTD.

It could encourage many more to use the service on the day, if only to take a bus into town or wherever for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Some might even make a day trip out of it and take the train to a city on the far side of the country.

Going one step further, some organisation – such as Fáilte Ireland, TFI, Irish Rail, OPW or similar – could sponsor a collection of images and written stories from the travellers on the day, with a view to publishing a selection of the best in a book. If it works for the first year it could be repeated annually to help boost public transport. – Yours, etc,