Union demands a review of security
Related Articles
BUS drivers have demanded improved security and a "zero-tolerance" attitude to violence on public transport after the latest attack on a driver.
Yesterday, union representatives demanded more resources from Dublin Bus and gardai following Saturday night's attack.
The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) said the incident on Cork street was the latest in a series of attacks on drivers and an illustration of the anti-social behaviour problem on board many routes.
Branch secretary John McGrane said there were currently four drivers out sick as a result of incidents on the Ringsend routes.
Gardai arrested a 32-year-old man on Saturday night after the bus hijacking on Cork street.
Last weekend, a can of beer was hurled through the front windscreen of a Nitelink bus, which was also travelling on Cork Street. "The driver thought he was going to die," said Mr McGrane. "He averted a very serious accident when he brought the bus to a stop -- luckily no one was injured.
"I am going to have to have discussions with Dublin Bus management about our security system -- we have an awful lot of problems with anti-social behaviour on our buses. There should be zero tolerance for attacks on drivers and passengers on Dublin Bus vehicles."
There have been between 30 and 40 incidents affecting drivers in the past few weeks, said Mr McGrane.
Yesterday, a spokeperson for Dublin Bus said the body was co-operating with the garda investigation and had provided CCTV footage from the cameras on board the bus.
However, she said similar incidents would "not be common" across the fleet of 1,200 buses.
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey condemned the attack as "totally unacceptable".
- Shane Hickey
