Antisocial behaviour 'seems to be the norm' on public transport forcing bus drivers to leave jobs

In Cork, the general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union Dermot O'Leary, said that 'the 203 is very much a problem'. File Picture: Denis Minihane.

Bus drivers are being forced to leave their jobs due to escalating violence which sees them routinely being spat at and verbally and physically assaulted.

While the latest figures from Bus Éireann show there were 654 incidents of antisocial behaviour on its vehicles in 2025, a 5% increase on the previous year, the National Bus and Rail Union says the actual numbers are significantly higher but drivers are not reporting them because they think: "What's the point?"

It claims attacks are almost a daily occurrence.

The most commonly reported category, according to figures provided to the Irish Examiner is aggressive behaviour, with 316 incidents across the two years.

There were 154 reports of and passengers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and 191 incidents of lewd behaviour over the two years, with a 36% and 25% increase respectively from 2024 to 2025.

The figures also show a sharp rise in passengers spitting on Bus Éireann employees, from eight incidents to 13, while there were 16 physical assaults on employees in both years, and fighting or other passenger disturbances rose slightly from 42 to 44 incidents.

There were also 252 incidents of criminal damage — including stones or other objects being thrown at buses — graffiti, and vandalism.

Dermot O’Leary, the general secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union (NRBU) said: “Unfortunately, society has gone in such a way now that antisocial behaviour seems to be the norm on public transport.

'Passengers suffer too'

“Some bus drivers have left the industry because of this, some have found themselves out ill for a long period on the back of assaults. Passengers are suffering too.” 

Mr O’Leary suggested that the figures were likely much higher than those provided, adding: “These incidents are almost a daily occurrence, at this stage a lot of our members aren’t even reporting them because it’s become so normalised, they think ‘what’s the point?’” 

In Cork, he said "the 203 is very much a problem".

"Our members are asking us how long can we continue to operate this service with the incidents that are happening there on a daily basis?” 

Mr O’Leary said that the union has been engaging with the Department of Transport over the last 18 months on a programme for government commitment to put in place a dedicated transport security force.

However, this will require primary legislation, which takes a “considerable period of time”, he said, adding that the union's proposal for a garda unit to police transport could have been brought in without legislation.

“The gap between the commitment and the implementation of the force is creating a vacuum in which antisocial behaviour is going unchecked,” he said, calling for the Government to look at immediate measures.