We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
LUAS COMMUTERS ARE reporting long waiting times for trams in the mornings since the new Luas Cross City came in.
Other traffic is also affected, with increased traffic congestion being reported in the run-up to Christmas.
Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy said: “Traffic gridlock has hindered road users including bus passengers and cyclists and has led to significant disruption right across Dublin City.
This problem was entirely predictable and it’s shocking that Minister Ross lacked the foresight to put in place a joint operation to help alleviate traffic congestion.
When questioned about the massive delays for people trying to get on packed Luas trams, a spokesperson for the Department of Transport said: “Teething difficulties are to be expected while that familiarisation process takes place.
“While it is welcomed that so many new customers are using the extended Green Line, it has meant that some trams are operating at capacity. This will be alleviated early in the New Year when seven new 55 metre long trams will be brought into service on this line.”
However, Luas users have reported being unable to get on a Luas in the mornings as tram after tram is completely packed.
One commuter told TheJournal.ie, “I get the Luas to work every morning, it can sometimes be packed at busy times and I understand that. I don’t mind being a bit uncomfortable as long as I get to work in time.
“Occasionally I wouldn’t be able to fit on a Luas because it was so packed and I’d have to wait for the next one but it has become a nightmare since the cross city line started.
On the very first morning the new line came in, I couldn’t get on the first Luas. It was packed beyond anything I have seen before so I waited for the next one… all in all five trams passed before I could eventually manage to get on one.
“I was 25 minutes late for work and that’s pretty much been the way since it came in. It sound like a massive exaggeration and I wish it was, but it’s not at all.
“I have to leave 30 minutes earlier in the morning and battle my way on. I just think this should have been organised better before Christmas, it’s all well and good saying it will be better in January but it’s horrible for people trying to start their day every morning.”
The spokesperson for the Department of Transport said, “With the introduction of the new Luas service through the city centre and onwards to Broombridge, many new users have been attracted to try out the new service.
While the Luas lines would always be busy at this time of year, it is particularly so at the moment, with additional commuters, shoppers and many people trialling the new service.
“The introduction of a completely new tram service into Dublin City Centre requires a period of ‘bedding in’ while all road users get familiar with, and adjust to, the new trams travelling on the central streets.
“Car drivers, bus drivers, taxi drivers, cyclists and pedestrians all have to acclimatise to the new street environment and the new traffic layouts.”
Troy added, “It’s important to note that the start of Luas Cross City services has had a negative impact on other forms of public transport in the city.
“Bus passengers who rely on services that travel along the quays and O’Connell Bridge in particular have seen their journey times increase dramatically this week.
There is clearly a significant problem emerging at College Green as buses, taxis and now Luas trams are competing to access what is a vital arterial route for a huge number of public transport users.
“Serious consideration will have to be promptly given to the layout of College Green, and whether taxis can continue to use the area at rush hour.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
In fairness, if I worked for Facebook, I’d have a nose at everyone’s messages. I think my neighbour might be cyber cheating on her husband of 58 years, and I’d love to see the filth she sends her new man.
For moral purposes of course.
You can still use messages if access fb on your phone’s browser. Facebook already runs 24/7 which uses enough cpu. Downloading a 2nd app which uses more cpu is stoopid considering you don’t need it
I just keep installing the messenger app and deleting it straight away. You’ll have use of the old messages for about 5 days!
Can you imagine Orwell’s take on all this?
He’d probably stick to twitter
The separate Messenger App is Pants. I hate it.
If you download Messenger on iPhone (as it forces you to), then you delete it from your phone, you’ll find when you go back into the original Facebook App that you can once again use chat in there like before. At least for now.
Trust us)
-Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity
-Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
-Allows the app to send SMS messages. This may result in unexpected charges. Malicious apps may cost you money by sending messages without your confirmation.
-Allows the app to record audio with microphone. This permission allows the app to record audio at any time without your confirmation.
-Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
-Allows the app to read you phone’s call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission allows apps to save your call log data, and malicious apps may share call log data without your knowledge.
-Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your phone, including the frequency with which you’ve called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals.
-Allows the app to read personal profile information stored on your device, such as your name and contact information. This means the app can identify you and may send your profile information to others.
-Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
-Allows the app to get a list of accounts known by the phone. This may include any accounts created by applications you have installed.
If I am not mistaken, those are descriptions that Google insist are used, rather than describing how the app actually works.
I’m not defending Facebook, and their privacy policies are suspect – but I reckon that the language used is a bit OTT. If you went through each of those permissions, I bet there’s a less sinister explanation.
Think about when you install a program like MS Word on your computer – you’re giving it permission to read your file system, overwrite files, send emails and so on.
>>Allows the app to change the state of network connectivity
Could this actually mean that the app will ask you if you want to turn off air-plane mode when you want to send a message?
>>Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
Maybe this just means you can send photos through the app without having to confirm the permissions every single time.
etc.
But what’s the reason behind needing call or text details? Or remote activation of camera and mic? Too much like big brother for me ha.
Googles default built in apps like hangouts need all of those permissions too, why arent you up in arms about that?
It needs access to your calls because the Facebook messenger app allows you to make and receive phone calls.
Now, if you have a call coming in but you haven’t let the app have access to your mic whenever it needs it – you wouldn’t be able to use that feature of the service – on iPhone you can opt out of this service, but android makes you accept all the permissions at once while iPhone asks for permission when you actually try to use the feature.
Same goes for camera – if you want to be able to send a photo or video or FaceTime – it needs access to your camera. If you want to send a picture from your saved photos, it needs access to your files. If you want to place a call it needs access to your contacts.
This is all much clearer when you’re using an iPhone because it doesn’t enable anything until you try to do what it’s needed for – then it’s all pretty understandable. But when you’re reading the android permissions it lacks context and sounds really dodgy.
The malicious apps thing – at least they mentioned it. Sadly there’s a lot of people out there still clicking on dodgy links in Facebook and spreading around malicious apps via Facebook, those people would have to smarten up quick to avoid the possible trouble caused by these malicious apps.
HI Katie. What is your guess, or feeling, at why Fb want to access every detail of their users lives?
For all the paranoid people out there. FACEBOOK really is spying on you. When you leave your phone on your licker at night, they (facebook) turn on the mic and camera a watch you sleep
Locker not licker. Oh dear lord stupid spell check.
Your licker? That your nickname for the other half?
Facebukk might not be watching you but Big brother is or are you watching it watching you watching it watching you watching it watching you?
I got rid. Not because I’m so I interesting that someone in silicon valley is watching my face as I write this. But because it was an irritating app. And you don’t need it at all to message on facebook.
If they wanna spy on me they can work away..if I’m bored then they’ll be twice as bored watching me being bored
Too true.
I got bored trading your comment
Still haven’t convinced me to download it. messenger worked perfect all along within the Facebook APP itself. Why bother moving it and trying to convince people to download another app? will they come out with another APP just so you can “exclusively ” like posts?..bit stupid if you ask me.
Hate the new app I use my laptop to read the messages now feck them and there app
You can still read your messages within the app, simple trick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0wMl-Uw8O0
It worked! Indeed! Thanx for the tip! HOW did you know?!?!
Just came across it one day by mistake
I like the external messaging app. It lets me use facebook for the only reason i have facebook: chat.
I can keep in touch with people without having to suffer all the selfies etc. :)
People are so naive, EVERYTHING you do on a phone is recorded by either Google, Facebook or Apple.
Radiohead had it right. All the paranoid android users out there haha
If you don’t like it. Don’t use it. Plain and simple
have your say