Fears 10% cut in bus fleet will cripple Dublin

DUBLIN will be crippled unless private operators are allowed to take over any routes axed in the imminent cuts at Dublin Bus, it was warned yesterday.

Company bosses are meeting with trade union leaders later this week over plans to reduce the capital’s bus fleet by a tenth as part of a wider cost-cutting package.

Fine Gael’s Senator Paschal Donohoe said the move will effectively hold up the city for the next 10 years as passengers are left stranded.

“Cutting the Dublin Bus fleet by 10% will see cutbacks in routes and services, leaving commuters and passengers high and dry,” he said.

“These routes and services should be opened up to the private sector,” Mr Donohoe added.

The Green party, which entered Government promising an increase in the availability of public transport, said it is “watching” the situation but is anxious to avoid any unnecessary cuts.

A spokesman said it accepts there is a significant deficit but wants a priority put on ensuring Dublin Bus runs a more streamlined operation.

“The party accepts everything is on the table for review and accepts there is an operating deficit in 2008.

“They know there was a drop in demand, but what they want to see is a priority placed on finding efficiencies and on maintaining prime-time services.

“They are concerned if you cut services you get into the vicious cycle you have now where because fewer people use the service routes are cut,” he said.

The issue was raised at yesterday’s cabinet meeting.

However, it was agreed to postpone a more detailed discussion until next week.

Losses at the CIE group, including Dublin Bus, Bus Eireann and Iarnród Éireann, could be as much as €90 million this year, said Mr Dempsey.

The transport companies get State subsidies of more than €313m every year.

“It is a fact that passenger numbers are down,” said Mr Demspey.

“That’s because there’s a recession, that’s because there are less shoppers coming into the city, there’s less workers. I want to stop the passenger numbers falling, and that means that changes will have be made within the company,” he said.

About 200 jobs are thought to be at risk in Dublin Bus with a reduction expected in as many as 120 buses and routes.

Labour party transport spokesman Tommy Broughan said there is also speculation of similar cutbacks at Bus Eireann and Iarnród Éireann.

“It is appalling that Minister Dempsey would choose to slash public transport services in such a way given the large numbers of commuters who rely heavily on buses to get to work and go about their daily business,” he said.

“It also makes no sense to attack essential public transport services given the need to get the economy back on track and maintain its competitiveness,” Mr Broughan added.