Madam, - There has been a lot of praise for the Minister of Transport lately for bringing in a penalty system which has proved operable and successful elsewhere and which appears to be working successfully here too. Why does he not turn his eyes, therefore, to other countries before he completely destroys a transport system which works successfully elsewhere and which would do the same here, if suitably subsidised?
I am speaking, of course, of plans to privatise public transport.
The Minister has only to glance across the Irish Sea to note the complete idiocy of such a scheme. In that area the idea of departure or arrival on time, which used to be a requirement, is now a nonsense as regards the train service.
Here, millions of pounds have been milked from the taxpayer to subsidise a payout to private investors and to say that one travels at risk is to understate vastly.
The road service - or bus service, as it is called - has also deteriorated greatly and smaller populated areas which used to have an hourly service are now lucky to see a bus once a week. You take long runs at great risk and the dedication of staff now leaves very much to be desired. After all they don't even get overtime rates any more and that applies to Sundays and holidays.
When one thinks about it a service like this which is dedicated to making profits is not concerned with the welfare of staff any more than it would wish to service areas of low profitability.
I am rather surprised that bus staff do not seem to be aware of the implications of the Minister's scheme and do not protest vigorously while there is still time. - Yours, etc.,
J. CARR, Balbriggan, Co Dublin.