Drivers in Bus Éireann are set to take unofficial strike action on Tuesday morning due to the lack of protection at work from Covid-19
TD calls for immediate introduction of fare free public transport
On Saturday a driver in Bus Éireann was suspended without pay for refusing to take fares from passengers. The driver has been re-instated but the threat to the safety of all drivers remains.
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has written to the CEO of the National Transport Authority (NTA) Anne Graham and the caretaker Minister for Transport, Shane Ross calling on them to protect drivers and implement free public transport.
The TD said: “90% of the Bus Éireann fleet has no protective screening and PPE’s are scarce. This puts drivers in a very vulnerable position as they are forced to interact closely with passengers to deal with fares and ticketing. It is unacceptable that our essential workers are unprotected, and the simple solution would be to implement a Free Travel policy for the duration of the crisis. The majority of the travelling public are themselves essential workers as they travel to hospitals, care homes, shops and other places of work that keep us going in these dangerous times.
“Many drivers are using middle or side doors where possible for passengers to enter and exit and it was this practice that led to the suspension of a driver on Saturday.
“I am calling for the protection of drivers who are stressed about close contact with the public and fear leaving their family members also exposed. With revenue depleted in the bus companies the uncollected fares pale into insignificance compared to the safety of vital workers.”
The TD noted that over 14 drivers in London are reported to have died from Covid-19 related illness.
There are reports that unofficial action will take place in public transport on Tuesday unless protection is immediately provided, or a Free Public Transport policy is implemented by the NTA.