Sir, - Mr John White's first letter (May 19th) saddened me. His follow up (June 12th) just confirmed for me, that staff in CIE just don't get it. His fellow bus drivers and wildcat striking train driver friends have conspired to subject the travelling public to misery, poor service and contempt for too long now.
In attacking the Minister, he states "much of the problem is due to arrogance" . Indeed, how true. Until he and his co-workers feel the need to offer a decent service and serve the customer above their own interests, CIE cannot improve - even with any investment. It's nothing to do with public policy or investment, it has to do with an organisation peopled by the self serving.
I would prefer his list to the Minister to have included: how employees can improve the punctuality of bus and train service; how unions can co-operate in the implementation of change and improvement; when he will accept performance/service quality-related pay; how to facilitate the introduction of new technology and practices and how to introduce automation (including ticket machines) at unmanned stations.
In the real world we live with job-threats unless we work better and smarter than our competition. In CIE, being essentially competition-free, Mr White and his colleagues simply cannot understand this.
Of course, Mr White is not alone, the problem goes right to the top. As it is unchangeable, I say break up CIE now. Under no circumstances allow CIE to run Luas.
As a suggestion, we could replace CIE with licensed operators who would rent the infrastructure. Open the renewable licences to full competition and let the best service providers prosper. The winner will be the customer. Yours, etc.,
Gerry Harvey, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.