Access to public transport: Intolerable nonsense

The country has just endured a difficult bus strike that caused considerable inconvenience to huge numbers of people even though the outcome of the dispute was entirely predictable. 

One of the issues involved was the company’s wish to change work practices, some of which were unsustainable. Others, like a refusal by drivers to check bus tyres or press a button to save fuel, were incomprehensible.

Another example of dysfunction came to light yesterday when the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that it is “reasonable” to expect passengers with a disability to give more than 24 hours’ notice if they wish to use a publicly subsidised bus.