DUBLIN BUS is to defer the introduction of cuts to services for one week from Sunday next following a request from the Labour Court yesterday afternoon.
Some 450,000 customers of Dublin Bus had faced disruption from Monday following a decision by drivers at the company to reject this week recommendations initially put forward by the Labour Court.
The Labour Court had initially recommended that Dublin Bus go ahead without delay with plans to take 120 buses out of service in a bid to save €31 million a year.
It also proposed changes to paid meal break arrangements for drivers, which the company said could generate €350,000 in savings. The court had also recommended weekend overtime earning potential for drivers be increased. It also said there should be no dilution of shift pay arrangements.
However following renewed talks yesterday afternoon, the court decided to clarify a number of issues contained in its earlier recommendations. It said it would issue the clarifications to the company and the unions early next week.
A spokeswoman for Dublin Bus said the Labour Court had requested that it defer implementation of its cost-effectiveness plan, due to go ahead on Sunday, for another week “to give the opportunity for this final attempt to resolve the issue”.
She added: “Dublin Bus has agreed to this request in the interest of our customers.”
The proposed cuts and alterations involve the withdrawal of 17 services, as well as route and frequency changes.
The “low frequency” services being withdrawn include the 15x, 27c, 31c, 49x, 50x, 51a, 58c, 65x, 79x, 86, 115, 117, 129, 172, 201/2, 206.
Some services on the 56a route from Tallaght will only operate to Dolphin’s Barn, while the route 45 will only operate between Bray and Ballsbridge.
The frequency of services will be reduced marginally on routes 1, 2, 3, 7b/d, 11a/b, 13a, 14a, 17, 18, 19a, 27x, 37x, 38a, 39/a/c/x, 41a, 42a/b, 44b/c, 48a, 50, 51b/c/d/x, 77a/x, 78a, 84x, 90/92, 111, 114, 116, 118, 121, 122, 128, 150, 161, 210.
General secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), Michael Faherty said he had raised concerns under the Organisation of Working Time Act about the implementation of the cuts. He said the NBRU needed more time “to consider the potential adverse impact of the changes on the living standards of drivers”.
The union also said it was seeking further discussions with Dublin Bus on the phasing in of the changes.