Unions call off bus strike

A major bus strike that threatened to leave thousands of commuters stranded across the country tomorrow has been called off.

Union leaders abandoned the protest after Minister for Transport Martin Cullen assured them he would honour long-standing commitments on additional buses for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann during a meeting.

National Bus and Rail Union Acting General Secretary Michael Faherty claimed Mr Cullen also promised to consult with unions over the proposed Dublin Transport Authority, which will take charge of transport in the city.

“The minister responded in a very positive way to all the issues raised by us at the meeting,” Mr Faherty said.

“He told us that he would deliver 100 additional buses for the Dublin Bus fleet, as promised last year.

“He said that funding was also available for the renewal and expansion of the Bus Éireann fleet by 160 vehicles. He was simply waiting for a few loose ends to be tied up with the latter company.”

Mr Faherty claimed Mr Cullen assured union officials that a detailed memorandum would be going to the Cabinet for approval within the next few weeks and that, as Minister for Transport, he was committed to its implementation.

“On the Dublin Transport Authority he told us that he expected the initial report within a matter of days and he would make it available to the unions so that consultation could take place, as promised, before any decisions were taken on the structures and remit of the new body,” Mr Faherty said.

“We also asked Mr Cullen about his position regarding the regulatory reform proposals, discussed and broadly agreed in July 2005. The minister reiterated his commitment to bring those proposals to a successful conclusion.

“In the light of these commitments the NBRU has decided that we must accept Mr Cullen’s assurances.

“We regret that it has been necessary to threaten action in order to concentrate minds and secure commitments that the Government will implement its own transport policy.”

Mr Faherty called on Mr Cullen to fulfil his promises without delay.

“If the Minister delivers on his commitments it will represent a major step forward for the travelling public, as well as our members,” he said.

“He also knows that if he does not deliver our members will be ready to take to the streets again, as they have so often in the past to champion the cause of public transport.”

Minister Cullen said he was committed to strengthening the bus fleet.

“We need to invest in Dublin, we need to invest in Bus Éireann around the country as well,” he said. “I want to provide buses into Dublin as quickly as possible.”