Smith blasts Michael O’Leary claims about Metrolink
Smith blasts Michael O’Leary claims about Metrolink - The Labour Party
Labour’s Duncan Smith TD has slammed Michael O’Leary’s comments in the Business Post, claiming that the Metrolink will be a massive “waste of money”.
Deputy Smith said:
“As night follows day, Michael O’Leary is once again complaining about public infrastructure that will help communities, but threatens his bottom line. He’s a savvy businessman but let’s be honest, the Metrolink will cut into Ryanair’s indirect profits by reducing the reliance on airport transfers, parking and taxis, and that’s what really bothers him.
“The commission Ryanair will get from these services and indeed their partnerships with 3rd party operators is put at risk by Metrolink. This is a financial concern for Ryanair plain and simple, much like their commission for charging passengers extra for oversized bags, it has nothing to do with what is good for their customers.
“Dubliners are stuck in daily gridlock. As O’Leary knows well, as he bought himself a taxi license to drive in bus lanes and skip the traffic. Most people can’t afford to game the system like that. Metrolink is their best chance at affordable, reliable transport that serves communities, not corporate profits.
“As a consistent advocate for Metrolink in Swords, I find it insulting to hear this kind of drive-by commentary from someone who clearly doesn’t rely on public transport to get to work. Dublin deserves better than a transport plan from a billionaire, whose only experience with buses is when he is pretending to be one.”