SIPTU representatives are meeting with Bus Éireann management this Thursday (June 26) after a spike in attacks on buses in Limerick City, which have caused serious damage and put passengers and workers at risk.
SIPTU Organiser Andrew Quigley said he has “received numerous reports regarding increased levels of anti-social behaviour on the Route 303 service in Limerick over recent days.
The vital 303 route serves as a key means of transport between Pineview, Moyross, O’Callaghan Avenue, Childers Road, and O’Malley Park, providing a link to the city centre for residents and commuters.
Recent shocking incidents on the route have included bus windows being smashed by youths throwing stones, workers being subjected to verbal abuse, and threats of violence.
SIPTU have said that some incidents are not being reported in line with the agreed protocols due to the delay of any response resulting from the level of demand on Garda resources.
“Our members are raising serious concerns about their safety and wellbeing while operating this route,” Mr Quigley said.
He said that the union welcomes Bus Éireann’s agreement to sit down and talk.
“It’s vital that the company talks to local representatives. Currently, we are continuing the service up to the last run at night and we want to do that. There are decent people replying on this service. If the protocols which are already there are followed, we shouldn’t have a problem,” he told the Limerick Post.
“We are now calling on the company to instigate a process of meetings with all stakeholders, including trade unions, the local authority, and Gardaí, to work on eliminating the threat to passengers and workers utilising this service.”
The SIPTU organiser said that “if action is not taken to deal with what is a long-term and recurring issue on this route, our members will be forced to suspend services. This is something they do not wish to do as they fully understand the detrimental impact which it has on the local community.”
Another SIPTU organiser, John Murphy, suggested that “the solution to the crisis of anti-social behaviour on our public transport network, which is accepted by our members and the government, is the creation of a standalone transport policing service”.
“The government has accepted our case on this issue and included the creation of such a body in its Programme for Government.”
Mr Murphy added that “prior to this goal being achieved, services must continue to operate in all communities”.
