‘Every driver has the right to be safe’ Security guards to patrol Dublin Bus to tackle anti-social behaviour

A FLEET of security guards are being deployed today to patrol Dublin Bus in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Dublin Bus is launching their first ever security team - dubbed the 'Safer Journeys Team' - in a 20-week pilot in order to support drivers and respond to security issues on board.

The two "dedicated" mobile units will see one group patrol the northside and another on the southside.

The crew's patrols will cover peak service hours from 2pm to 2am Sunday through Thursday and from 4pm to 4am Friday and Saturday.

'SAFER JOURNEYS'

The Safer Journeys Team is being "strategically located" in areas of high priority.

Their role will include providing visible support to customers and employees, assisting in situations ranging from guidance to responding to security-related incidents.

Dublin Bus CEO Billy Hann said the company are proud to launch the crew to ensure "safer journeys" for patrons.

The bus chief said: “We are proud to launch the Safer Journeys Team, a key step in our commitment to making every journey on Dublin Bus a safer journey.

"Whether you are heading home after working a late shift or catching up with friends in town, you deserve to feel safe on board our services.

'WELCOME MOVE'

"The team will provide a visible and reassuring presence for both our customers and employees, actively enhancing safety and security across our network.”

Secretary of The National Bus and Rail Union Dermot O'Leary and SIPTUTransport Sector Organiser John Murphy said the pilot scheme is a "welcome move" but called for a "dedicated Garda Public Transport Unit."

They explained: ""The introduction of the Safer Journeys Team is an important step forward in ensuring the safety of both drivers and customers.

"Every driver has the right to be safe and protected while at work and this initiative is a welcome move towards achieving that goal.

"We will continue to work closely with Dublin Bus, Government and all stakeholders to ensure this pilot programme delivers real results for those on the front lines of our transport system.

ANTI-SOCIAL RISE

"However, we want to be very clear in our view, that this is not a silver bullet and the need for a dedicated Garda Public Transport Unit remains"

The move to introduce the Safe Journey Team comes amid a rise in the number of anti-social behaviour incidents reported on Dublin Bus - with a doubling of incidents reported in the last five years.

Dublin Bus have said they will "carefully monitor" the impact of the team throughout the pilot scheme - through response times, customer satisfaction and incident numbers.

Welcoming the news of the pilot scheme, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless said: "“As a former Chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, I am aware of the frequency with which this issue arose and the concerns of the travelling public towards anti-social behaviour.