School campaign leads to drop in attacks on bus fleet

AN ANTI-VANDALISM campaign in Limerick primary schools has led to a huge drop in stone attacks on the Bus Éireann fleet in the city.

Four years ago, stone attacks on city buses were costing Bus Éireann more than €250,000 in replacing broken glass and down time while repairs were carried out. This year, damage to buses in the city will cost about one fifth the 2004 figure. The huge change was yesterday attributed to a campaign to create an awareness and appreciation among primary school students on a theme: “It is your bus, don’t vandalise it.”

Bus Éireann regional manager Miriam Flynn said in 2004, when they started the campaign, glass replacement was costing them €150,000 and they were losing another €100,000 in lost revenue while buses were out of service.