Today the transport committee on Dublin City Council agreed to send the bye-laws for the introduction of car clubs on Dublin City’s streets for public consultation. I originally brought this idea to the Council while I was a member of the transport committee as a Councillor. I have also introduced the legislation in the Dail that would allow the Council to introduce car clubs on public streets.

I am glad to see that the Council is finally moving on this. With the legislation I introduced last year – the Smarter Transport Bill – due to be taken up by Minister Varadkar in a matter of months, it is great to see the Council being so proactive. When we had a brief debate on the legislation in the summer, I called on the City Council to prepare in advance for the introduction of the new laws. Today’s news shows that they are doing that.

There was some resistance when I first raised the idea of car clubs as a Councillor. I think some people didn’t get the potential – for people to save money on their transport, to free up parking in the city and inner suburbs, to reduce emissions and congestion. But it would seem following the success of Dublinbikes that people are now more willing to get on board. This is essentially Dublinbikes, but with cars.

For more information on the Smarter Transport Bill click here