The army would be able to supply fewer than 100 vehicles if called on to assist in the event of a continuing public transport crisis, it has been learned.
Cutbacks in the Defence Forces have reduced the number of transport corps from five to three, one of which is permanently serving with the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo.
The Defence Forces would not comment officially on the availability of transport vehicles yesterday. However, it is understood that as few as 40 minibuses, each capable of carrying about 15 people, and some 50 troop-carrying lorries would be available for assistance in moving people.
The Government has been informed of the lack of effective capability for civilian transport.
Military assessment of the civilian transport problems indicates the 40 minibuses would be of little or no benefit to the travelling public in cities, as they would be unable to benefit from the bus lanes which have been opened to ordinary traffic.
There are also concerns about safety implications for the public travelling in troop-carrying lorries.
Most of the transport corps vehicles are heavy vehicles unsuitable for public transport. The main troops and equipment carrying truck is the Man 4x4 which is considered much too high for access by members of the public.
The Man 2x4 troop carrying vehicles (TCVs) can carry about 40 people, but passengers would have to sit along benches and it is felt these are no longer suitable for civilian use.
According to one Army source, passengers would also have to face quite a climb into the back of the trucks. "They are definitely not suitable for grannies," according to one military source.
It is also considered unlikely that soldiers would be used to drive buses from Dublin bus depots onto the streets. Such a move would probably exacerbate the already tense industrial relations situation. Army lorries and buses were used during the last State-wide transport strike in 1981. However, at that time the Defence Forces had a strength of over 14,000 and five brigades, each with a transport corps.
Since then the Government has cut the Defence Forces to less than 11,000 and reduced the number of transport corps to three.
These are the 1st Southern Brigade Transport Corps in Collins Barracks, Cork, the 2nd Eastern Brigade corps in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, and the 4th Western Brigade corps in Custume Barracks, Athlone.
Since last year's decision by the Government to participate in the Kfor peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, an Army transport unit has been based outside the capital, Pristina. About 100 soldiers, mostly drivers, are serving with the transport unit.
As of yesterday, there had been no request by the Department of Public Enterprise for assistance from the Army.