Bus cutbacks the ‘soft option’

DUBLIN Bus and Bus Éireann have been accused of taking the “soft option” in cutting staff numbers and axing services in response to falling passenger numbers.

The chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport Frank Fahey yesterday expressed disappointment at the reaction of both companies to the economic crisis.

Mr Fahey criticised both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann for their failure to encourage more commuters to abandon their cars in favour of public transport, especially at a time when bus travel represented good value.