Bus Éireann strike is causing chaos in our public transport system- Mulherin

Fine Gael Senator for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, said the ongoing Bus Éireann strike is causing chaos in the public transport system.

Senator Mulherin has engaged with both Government colleagues and local Bus Éireann workers this week on the issue.

She said: “I met with Bus Eireann workers at the Ballina depot at the beginning of the week and at Leinster House yesterday.

“I then met the Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar to highlight specific concerns the Bus Éireann workers raised with me that the Free Travel Scheme operated by the Department which allows qualifying individuals to travel for free on Expressway routes is under funded by the State.

“At the moment Bus Eireann receives 40% less on a fare for a passenger with a free travel pass than a full paying passenger and it is estimated that approximately 30% of passengers on Expressway have a free travel pass.

“There is also the issue that on Expressway routes, Bus Éireann has to stop in multiple towns and villages. This can be a deterrent for passengers as some private operators offer a more direct route.

“I am very pleased to have had a very constructive meeting with the Minister who confirmed to me that he is giving serious consideration to addressing the travel pass issue.

“He also said he will examine multi-stop Expressway routes with the possibility of re-designating them as PSO services which would see these socially necessary but financially un-viable routes funded by the State.

“However it has to be said that while this will help it will not resolve the financial woes of Bus Eireann.

“Both unions and Bus Eireann management have publicly acknowledged there are efficiency issues which need to be addressed.

“Many of these are internal issues which I would hope can be addressed between the unions and management before the Workplace Relations Commission or Labour Court and I would encourage the parties to engage again.

“Management has serious questions to answer about their handling of the financial affairs of the company as the accounts reveal that losses in the first two months of this year were 41% higher than last year. These problems did not happen overnight and I believe management have serious questions to answer which should be put by Minister for Transport, Shane Ross and I have called on the Minister to do so in the Seanad.

“As it stands the strike is causing chaos in our public transport system and is particularly difficult for rural Ireland commuters and tourists who often have no alternatives.

“Many retailers are experiencing less footfall of customers which they directly link with customers being unable to travel.

“At the same time the striking workers are going without pay and Bus Eireann is losing massive amounts of money daily.

“Clearly the situation and its knock on effects are untenable and I would encourage all stakeholders to engage urgently to play their part in finding a reasonable resolution.”

ENDS