Fianna Fáil General Election candidate and Senator in Dublin Central Mary Fitzpatrick has welcomed the announcement that Dublin Bus are deploying security guards on Dublin Bus. From today security guards will be deployed as part of a new 20-week pilot programme aimed at enhancing security across the Dublin Bus network.
This groundbreaking initiative, the first of its kind in the company's history, is a direct response to persistent concerns raised by Senator Fitzpatrick and her Fianna Fáil colleagues about increasing levels of anti-social behavior, which have deterred public transport use in recent years.
She said, "I am delighted to receive confirmation from my party colleague and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless, that Dublin Bus has officially launched this 20-week pilot to improve safety for both passengers and employees.
"It represents a critical step in making our public transport system safer for everyone and an initiative I have long championed to ensure that everyone on public transport, whether employee or passenger, feels protected from anti-social behavior."
The pilot program will see the introduction of two dedicated mobile security units, one deployed on the northside of Dublin and the other on the southside. These teams will operate daily during peak travel hours, from 14:00 to 02:00 Sunday through Thursday, and 16:00 to 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
"This initiative is not only about ensuring personal safety but also about restoring public confidence in the safety of Dublin’s public transport system," said the Fianna Fáil Senator.
"Public transport plays a crucial role in reducing our carbon footprint. A secure and reliable network is key to encouraging more people to leave their cars behind and contribute to our climate objectives."
Senator Fitzpatrick commended Dublin Bus for taking this proactive step and expressed hope that the pilot programme will serve as a blueprint for a permanent security presence on Dublin Bus.
"This is a landmark moment for Dublin Bus, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this pilot will have on safety, security, and ultimately, public confidence in our transport network."
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