Newsmedianews - Archived direct input headlines

NEWSMEDIANEWS

______________________________Direct Input News Archive______________________________

No honey conductress on this Number 19 printable version

03 Jun 2011: posted by the editor - Local, Ireland

By Mark Lawler
On 12 June of this year, Dublin Bus proposed to scrap the No 19 Bus, one of the oldest routes in operation in this city. Thankfully due to People Pressure and the Save the 19 Campaign, this internal deadline for Dublin Bus has been deferred.

But the fate of the 19 bus and many other bus services in Dublin are under threat. Dublin Bus are actively discriminating against the most vunerable people in our community, the old, the sick and disabled and the young, particularly school children. But it reflects their policy around the city, where routes that are being used by the older members of our community are being targeted. Why? Because, even though they have worked for much of their lives and contributed greatly to this economy, Dublin Bus now sees our senior citizens as non profitable and therefore disposable. Privatisation of Dublin Bus will mean that OAP Bus passes will be of little use to the very people who have contributed so much to the fabric of our society. Say No to Ageism Week obviously isnt high on Dublin Bus's agenda!

The proposal to scrap this one bus affects people across the city, impacting directly on communities in Inchicore and Kilmainham, Drimnagh, Rialto, Dolphins Barn, South Circular Road, Harolds Cross, Camden Street Quarter, South Inner City, North Inner City, Western Way, Phibsboro, Drumcondra, Glasnevin and Finglas and also has significant effects on people linking to this service from Ballyfermot, Clondalkin, Rathmines, Rathgar, Whitehall Santry, Ballymun etc.

Talking to people on the buses and in the local areas, there is a great deal of anger at the arrogant attitude of Dublin Bus, the lack of proper consultation and clear information as to what is happening to different bus services and the clear message that Dublin Bus are not offering a proper Public Bus Service to its customers, particularly its older, disabled and more vunerable customers, if they are proposing to scrap bus routes around the city. How can taking 230 buses out of a bus fleet lead to a better service for us, the public?

In this "more efficient service", buses will simply go through main throughfares and many of us will have to walk significant distances to access these so called "super routes". How can you expect, young schoolchildren, old, disabled and sick people to do this? It will be the end of a Public Bus Service as we know it and it will be a shame if the elected representatives of the people stand by and let this travesty happen! Thankfully this hasn't been the case in our area and the intercession of a number of local politicians and the Launch of the "Save the 19 Campaign" by Joan Collins TD on Thursday 28 April has met with an overwhelming response. This Friday 3 June at 11am, just over a month after the campaign started, Joan Collins TD with local community representatives is to hand in a petition with over 7,000 signatures at Dublin Bus Head Office in O Connell Street Dublin. This Thursday 2 June, local members of the community will board the bus at the 19 Bus Terminus on Bulfin Rd at 15.50 and 16.10 and take the bus to the Broadstone Depot (collecting supporters along the way) to protest against this "profit before people" approach of Dublin Bus.

We invite you, members of the media, to attend either or both of these events and we are happy to help you to help us in any way we can And we've already said to Paddy Doherty, CEO of Dublin Bus and Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, why don't you join me and my two daughters on the 19 Bus as we collect signatures every morning on the way to school for a petition to Save the 19 Bus? Over 7,000 people have already signed up - why don't you listen to what they have to say? Or maybe we'll see you at 3.45 on this Thursday 2 June at Bulfin Road terminus, as your customers take the bus to Broadstone Depot to stand up for our bus service? And don't worry Leo, you wont need another EU Bail Out - Ill even pay your bus fare!

In the words of our illustrious visitors to these shores - "A chairde, is feidir linn" and we intend to fight Dublin Bus all the way on this issue that is so important to the people of Dublin today.

Tags: Dublin bus

Back to headlines
comments (0)
recommend

>Local comment

Name: Remember me

E-mail: (optional)

Captcha

Return to full index