SIPTU representatives have written to Bus Éireann management to request an urgent meeting to discuss the increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour on one of its Limerick services which has resulted in serious damage to buses and endangerment to workers in recent days.
SIPTU Organiser, Andrew Quigley, said: “I have received numerous reports regarding increased levels of anti-social behaviour on the Route 303 service in Limerick over recent days. These include windows on buses being broken by youths throwing stones, workers being subjected to verbal abuse and threats of violence. Some of these 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 well-being while operating this route. 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 elevating the threat to passengers and workers utilising this service.”
He added: “If action is not taken to deal with what is a long term and recurring issue on this route then 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.”
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “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. SIPTU has been calling for the introduction of such a service as part of our Respect Transport Workers campaign. The Government has accepted our case on this issue and included the creation of such a body in its Programme for Government. Our members stand ready to work with all stakeholders to make the creation of such as service a reality in as short a time frame as possible.”
He added: “However, prior to this goal being achieved services must continue to operate in all communities. We believe the engagement with stakeholders to immediately bring greater safety for workers can be done in tandem with the work necessary to establish the foundations of the new transport policing service.”