Siptu to meet Dublin Bus over service cutbacks, job losses

The country's largest trade union Siptu has confirmed it is to meet with management at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann over the coming week as speculation mounts that job losses and a reduction in services are likely.

The union said this evening that it was to meet with Dublin Bus on Friday and with Bus Éireann next Tuesday to discuss future operations at the two semi-state companies.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey admitted today that he is considering severe cutbacks in Dublin Bus services with reports suggesting that up to 10 per cent of services could be cut and up to 200 jobs slashed.

Speaking this afternoon, Siptu sectional organiser Willie Noone said the union was expect to be fully briefed on possible cutbacks. Mr Noone said that despite growing media speculation there has beenno engagement with staff at the two companies.

Fine Gael said it would oppose any cuts to bus services in the capital.

"Years of neglect mean that Dublin is already one of the most poorly-served cities for public transport in Europe. Now, in the middle of a deep recession, Minister Dempsey is actually proposing cuts in Dublin Bus services," said the party's Seanad Transport Spokesperson, Paschal Donohoe.

"Dublin is grinding to a half due to congestion. There are already serious doubts about a number of major infrastructure projects due to the Government's mismanagement of the public finances. The bus network can only become more important.

Elsewhere, the Labour Party this evening reacted angrily to the possible cut-backs with its transport spokesman Tommy Broughan calling on Mr Dempsey not to proceed with the plan.

"It is appalling that Minister Dempsey would choose to slash public transport services in such a way given the large numbers of commuters who rely heavily on buses to get to work and go about their daily business. It also makes no sense to attack essential public transport services given the need to get the economy back on track and maintain its competitiveness," said Mr Broughan.

"Cutbacks of this magnitude are totally at odds with national transport, environment and climate change policies of getting commuters out of their cars and into public transport in order to reduce
transport greenhouse gas emissions. It is also notable that the public subsidy to Dublin Bus is one of the lowest for a capital city public transport operator in the EU27," he added.