Bus Eireann attempts to lure drivers for Navan-Dublin route

As Bus Eireann works to resolve issues on the troubled 109 routes, it has emerged that the company has been attempting to lure drivers from other routes and also Dublin Bus.

The introduction of new timetables and rosters which came into effect on 17th September have been impacting on services, and the company has also blamed the absenteeism rate among drivers, which it claims is almost 12 per cent, for the problems.

However, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, has hit out at Bus Eireann for trying to place all the blame on drivers. He said: “The attempt by the management of Bus Éireann to place all of the blame on its drivers for the poor service being provided to the travelling public in the east of the country is deplorable. Our members made the company aware prior to the schedule changes that it announced recently that they could not be operated as advertised.

“Management was made aware that all the necessary drivers had not been route trained, it knew that certain journeys could not be done in the times allocated and that rosters showing people working through the night on shifts of nearly 13-hours duration were not workable."

It has been claimed by a number of drivers that there are simply not enough drivers to deal with the increased services following the introduction of the new XN frequent Navan express service which is having a knock on effect on other routes.

Bus Eireann is now looking to get Dublin Bus drivers to move over and work the 109 routes for a temporary period until Christmas, while keeping their same pay.

However, one driver said this would not be a runner and they would not get drivers to move over.

Morale among drivers at the Broadstone Depot is said to be very low at the moment. Drivers have been taking the brunt of passengers' frustrations as services were dropped. "The abuse we have been taking because of the incompetence of management," said one driver.

"They have blamed absenteeism. We all know it is high and there are a lot out long term sick. They knew that they hadn't got the people to operate the buses. And they haven't got the buses," he added