Union warns it may order drivers to not operate Limerick bus services

SIPTU has warned it may have to ask its members who drive Bus Eireann vehicles in Limerick city to not operate in some areas.

It comes after the union has reported an increase of criminal and anti-social behaviour in recent days on the 303 bus service, which connects Moyross with Southill and the city centre.

READ MORE: Man to appear in court following discharge of firearm and seizure of drugs in Limerick

Now, they have requested an urgent meeting to discuss this rise, which has seen 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."

The trade union, which alongside the National Bus and Rail Union represents front-line bus drivers, want to get around a table to discuss the issue.

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," he said.

It would not be the first time the 303 has been suspended, with bus drivers refusing to enter Southill for a time last year.

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.”