€131m CIÉ losses put services and jobs at risk

HUNDREDS of job losses coupled with significant reductions to some bus and rail services are under active consideration by CIÉ as the state transport company is facing serious losses due to falling passenger numbers.

The CIÉ group, which consists of Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus, is planning dramatic cutbacks to deal with a projected operating deficit of €131 million this year.

Proposals for savings of €45m across the three companies are believed to include large-scale reductions to bus services both nationwide and in Dublin with the potential cancellation of low-traffic routes and less frequent services on others.