102. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any initiative his Department is progressing to improve passenger safety on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8931/25]

Sentiment score: 0.23

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis na hAirí. Go n-éirí an bheirt acu leis na poist atá acu. Baineann an cheist atá agam le sábháilteacht phaisinéirí ar iompar poiblí. What plans or measures are in place to protect passengers' safety on public transport?

Sentiment score: 0.16

I do not have to ask my constituents about this because I get the bus myself. The lack of a ministerial car means I have to get the E2. I was about to say the 46A but it is the E2 now. I appreciate what the Minister said. I presume it is not planned to have a transport security force person on every bus, DART or Luas. Are there other measures that could be put in place? I think of DART stations. In many DART stations, there is only one entrance. In Dún Laoghaire, you have to enter at the south end of the platform despite the fact that there is easy access at the other end. It is the same at Sandycove and Glasthule. There could be an access point at the Eden Road Upper end. It means that passengers, particularly people on their own and especially women on their own, have to go through a particular point as they come in and out of the DART station. I have asked this question and it has been referred to Iarnród Éireann. I have not had a satisfactory answer. It seems to be a very easy way to ensure personal safety if people do not have to be channelled through a particular port every time they use a service.

Sentiment score: 0.09

I agree with what the Minister said. There is an ancillary issue. Obviously, my question contemplates personal safety in the context of the antisocial behaviour and criminality the Minister referred to, but a lady in Glasthule raised an issue with me today regarding the difference in the style of driving between different bus drivers depending on whether they were trained by Bus Átha Cliath or Go-Ahead. I do not know if the Minister has any information about the training regimes that are in operation but if the anecdotal evidence is to be believed, Go-Ahead bus drivers have a more cavalier attitude to speed and things like that. I have not seen this but the matter was raised with me today. From being on buses, I certainly know that some drivers can drive in ways that endanger passengers on board. Do the Department or the NTA have any guidelines for the training of bus drivers or can anything be done to ensure the physical safety of passengers and those outside the buses?

Sentiment score: 0.30