The pilot scheme begins today.

As part of a pilot scheme to curb antisocial behavior on public transport, security guards have started operating on Dublin Bus services. According to the company, incidents of antisocial behavior on buses have doubled over the past five years. In 2019, there were approximately 500 reports of antisocial behavior on Dublin Bus; last year, that figure had risen to over 1,000.

As part of a 20-week pilot program, two mobile security units will operate on Dublin Bus services citywide. Operating from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday to Thursday, and from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, these teams will travel on buses daily during afternoon, evening, and night services. Dublin Bus aims to make this initiative a permanent fixture following the pilot period.

“This is a key step in our commitment to making every journey on Dublin Bus a safer journey,” said Billy Hann, Dublin Bus CEO.

Dublin Bus made this decision after consulting independent security experts, who suggested that this measure would enhance the safety of both customers and drivers. Dublin Bus has stated that security teams will be stationed in priority areas and will closely monitor their impact by reviewing customer and employee feedback, incident response times, and overall incident numbers.

Although SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) have welcomed this move, they have emphasized the need for a dedicated Garda public transport unit.

“Every driver has the right to be safe and protected while at work, and this initiative is a welcome step toward achieving that goal. However, we want to be very clear that this is not a silver bullet, and the need for a dedicated Garda public transport unit remains,” reiterated NBRU Secretary General Dermot O’Leary and SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser John Murphy in a joint statement.

Elsewhere on District: The Government Spent €9 Million On… Phone Pouches?