Fine Gael’s Dublin bus plans will transport the capital back to the 1980s

Date: 21/02/2011
Posted by: Darragh

“Fine Gael’s proposal to privatise Dublin Bus routes will transport the capital’s bus network back to the 1980s,” said Dublin North Fianna Fáil candidate Darragh O’Brien TD.

“It beggars belief that after a full decade of investment in Dublin public transport, including bus improvements, the introduction of the Luas and the Metro, Fine Gael seems determined to put us on a backwards road to commuter chaos and traffic gridlock,” he added.

Deputy O’Brien was speaking after Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe proposed a ‘free for all’ for bus licensing. Similar proposals are also included in Fine Gael’s manifesto.

“Fine Gael proposals would see significant price hikes on busy commuter bus routes and the abandonment of those less frequently used. This double-whammy will leave some commuters paying more for their journey while others will be left without a dedicated service and will be forced to use their cars.

“This will result in higher prices for commuters, higher fuel and parking costs for those forced to drive and increased traffic gridlock,” said Deputy O’Brien.

As well as the detrimental effect on the bus and transport network Deputy O’Brien also said the policy would result in job losses at Dublin Bus.

“This policy also means Dublin Bus will manage fewer routes and therefore will require fewer staff resulting in layoffs for some of the 3,600 staff employed. Any proposal for forced redundancies at Dublin Bus in the current economic climate should be rejected out-of-hand,” added Deputy O’Brien.