Campaigners against changes and cutbacks to Dublin Bus services are to stage a “mass demo” outside the group’s headquarters in O’Connell Street tomorrow afternoon.
The protest, co-ordinated by the fledgling Save Our Bus Services campaign, is designed to highlight the affects of the cuts in public transport services on the most vulnerable communities in the city, and will take place between midday and 2pm.
Campaigners from Dún Laoghaire, Inchicore, Donnycarney, Dundrum, Ballyfermot, Ringsend and Condalkin will be "voicing their anger at the devastating cuts" to community services, organisers said.
Dublin Bus is currently undertaking a major restructuring of its services, involving the elimination of some routes and the re-routing of others, as part of its Network Direct project.
Campaigners against the changes have argued that further planned changes will cause unnecessary hardship for the elderly and the less well-off, many of whom are dependent on the services for getting around.
People Before Profit councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, Bríd Smith, said the company’s restructuring plan involved approximately 200 buses coming off the roads on the back of a €30 million cut in subvention from the Government.
While route changes can be negotiated and are in some cases “not a bad thing”, she said, the proposed changes will adversely affect the most vulnerable.
“It seems that the areas which are worst affected are those with elderly populations where many are on free travel and rely on public transport for simple things like getting their pensions and going to Mass.”
There will also be no direct link between Ballyfermot and Tallaght hospital if the company goes ahead with the cuts, Ms Smith said.
Dublin Bus insists the changes are not intended to cause hardship but to improve and enhance services, and were being implemented in consultation with the public.
People Before Profit councillor Gino Kenny said the campaign, which co-ordinated a series of protests against the cutbacks last Saturday, was “working”.
“In areas where people have came out campaigning and protesting, we have had some success and Dublin Bus have indicated they will roll back the cuts in some areas,” he said.
Nicola Curry from the 48 bus campaign said: “The cuts mean longer waiting times and packed buses that may not have room for all the passengers.”
“The elderly and disabled cannot be expected to wait for long periods of time especially when the autumn and winter set in,” she said.
Bobby O'Toole from the 46a bus campaign queried where the support for their campaign received in Monsktown farm from Labour leader Eamon Gilmore and local Labour councillors had gone?
“They marched with us on out protests last Autumn and promised to help restore the 46a to Monkstown farm but since the recent general election the support has disappeared,” he claimed.
