Schoolchildren join fight against bus vandalism
Limerick is the company’s worst black spot for attacks on city fleets which it also operates in Cork, Galway and Waterford.
Attacks on the Limerick fleet of 28 buses is now costing the company €150,000 a year just to replace glass.
When the cost of down time in order to carry out repairs is added, the bill comes to €300,000.
A school calendar promotion is aimed at encouraging greater awareness among young people about having a good bus service in their own neighbourhoods.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea TD launched the Bus Éireann Community Awareness Calendar, in Our Lady of Lourdes national school in Rosbrien.
The calendar showcases art work and poetry produced by children from schools throughout the city.
Hundreds of Limerick children were invited to take part in the calendar competition as part of the overall Bus Éireann Community Awareness Programme, which has been running in Limerick schools for three years.
A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann said: “The objective of the programme is to tackling vandalism and anti-social behaviour affecting Limerick City bus services. It is run by Bus Éireann driver Ger Doran who visits schools and highlights to children the important role the local bus plays in the life of the community.”
Mr Doran said the aim of the programme is to bring home to communities and to school children in particular the adverse effects of bus vandalism.
He said: “It also explains the cost and the inconvenience as well as the injury and potential loss of life, that are caused as a result of bus vandalism and anti-social behaviour towards drivers.”
