As undergrad lectures start at most Irish universities & colleges on Monday, I want to note a crisis facing staff and students which has received comparatively little attention. In addition to the student accommodation/general #HousingCrisis, there's a transport crisis (1/n)...
(2/n) Students and staff who drive face extortionate petrol/diesel prices and endure long, stressful commutes. Many have no choice but to tolerate this situation due to #HousingCrisis but also the lack of transport infrastructure. But this isn't all...
(3/n) University/college staff and students who usually drive but find themselves unable to - e.g. due to a medical diagnosis that bars them from driving, or due to no longer being able to run a car, etc. - may suddenly rely on public transport. But where's the infrastructure?
(4/n) Institutions sometimes organises busses to transport students from around the country. But take example of Swords, Co. Dublin: large population but no direct public transport from there to Maynooth University Public transport: bus + train + walk (1 hour 45 mins each way)...
(5/n) The only direct service, Airport Hopper from airport to Maynooth has been cancelled since Covid. So, if you live in Co. Dublin & work/study at a university which is a 40-min drive away, yet can't drive, the public transport commute is v long, stressful, & unsustainable...
(6/end) In short, I'm dreading Monday due to the commuting situation. And I live somewhere with public transport options, however unsatisfactory. No idea how students & colleagues in similar situations, living rurally, cope. Also, #ClimateEmergency. Better public transport NOW.
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