Taxi union angry over jazz night bus plans
The Independent Drivers Union, which represents a handful of drivers in the city, said it was alarmed by Bus Éireann’s plan to introduce the special services to Carrigaline, Ballincollig and Midleton.
The company will run the temporary services on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Each service will operate from the city centre departing at 1am, 2am and 3am.
However, a spokesman for the taxi union said the services would dent his members’ earning ability on what would normally be a bumper weekend.
He said they will be discussing the issue over the next day or so before deciding on a course of action.
They have not ruled out some form of protest which could include parking vehicles in bus parking zones.
However, one of the city’s biggest taxi companies, Cork Taxi Co-Op, which will have close to 90 drivers on the roads this weekend, said it has no problem with the bus service.
Co-Op chairman Clem Mahon said anything that offers the estimated 40,000 revellers who are due in the city another option of getting home quickly should be welcomed.
“We have no problem with the buses being on this weekend, especially if the expected 40,000 people due to attend the jazz festival are in the city,” he said.
“The taxi offers a door-to-door service. We are not competing with the buses. We offer a different service.”
Carrigaline-based Fianna Fáil TD Michael McGrath also welcomed the introduction of the bus service.
Single journey fares on the service will cost €3 to Douglas, Maryborough Hill or Bishopstown, €5 to Carrigaline, Ballincollig and Carrigtwohill and €8 to Midleton.
