Dublin Chamber of Commerce, one of the main proponents of an underground system, yesterday sought to play down the recommendation in favour of surface rail. Its chief executive, Mr Noel Carroll, described Luas as a "red herring" and "a side-issue" in the context of Dublin's overall traffic needs.
The chamber would consider whether the Atkins report had dealt with the objections to Luas adequately before making a decision, Mr Carroll said. It was taking a prudent and cautious approach which should not be misinterpreted as obstructionism.
Asked whether he felt the chamber had wasted time for Luas by pressing for the underground option which had now been discounted, Mr Carroll likened Dublin's traffic problem to a heart patient awaiting a transplant. "Both need urgent remedial action but they also need to be made fully aware of all the options beforehand."
However, Mr Tom Coffey, of the Dublin City Centre Business Association, said the Government should now come to a decision rapidly, draw down the necessary EU funds and "get on with it".
He said he was not surprised by the recommendation in favour of surface rail. He believed an underground system was never viable.
He said traffic speeds in Dublin had halved in a decade. In 1964 there were 800 buses for the 600,000 inhabitants; today there were 900 buses for a population of 1.25 million.
"For years, Dubliners have got nothing in public transport while the engineers debated among themselves. Now it's time for the Government to make the strategic and sensible decisions to improve their lot."
The Automobile Association, which supported the underground option, said yesterday it was now inclined to accept the professional advice in the report and support a surface rail Luas.
However, its spokesman, Mr Conor Faughnan, said there were still major difficulties to be addressed.
These included the disruption that would ensue as Luas was being built; the need for a ticketing system integrated with other public transport options; physical integration with other transport systems; and the need for "dramatic improvements" in the quality of Dublin Bus services.
Mr John Dunne, chief executive of South Dublin Chamber of Commerce, said the Government should make a final decision on Luas next week.
