SIPTU’s transport police proposal was included in the Programme for Government published in January, with seeking a swift delivery on this undertaking now the main focus of the Respect Transport Workers campaign.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to establish a new transport police service with powers of arrest and under the control of the National Transport Authority, which is in line with the Union’s Travel Safe policy document published last year.
“The creation of a new transport policing service was the central aim of the SIPTU Respect Transport Workers campaign. That the Government has committed to creating such a service modelled on the Airport Police is a step in the right direction.”
He added: “However, Union representatives have so far been unsuccessful in our requests to meet the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to discuss how this Government policy aim can be made a reality in as short a timeframe as possible.”
Irish Rail worker and SIPTU National Executive Council member, Tommy Wynne said: “The issue of anti-social behaviour and violence on the public transport network has intensified since the pandemic. In our Travel Safe policy, we outlined the international best practice in terms of policing public transport and detailed how a transport policing service can be created in Ireland. We are pleased the Government has taken this advice on board.
“Making a transport police service a reality must now be the key aim of all stakeholders in the public transport sector. SIPTU representatives are prepared to work closely and quickly with all bodies to make this much-needed service an effective force for dealing with anti-social activity on our public transport network.”
He added: “We will be calling on the Government to include our proposal for Public Transport Assistance Units within the new service. These are specifically trained social care intervention officers to deal with those causing a public disturbance on the public transport network but who are more applicable for intervention in relation to underlying social care issues, such as substance abuse and homelessness, rather than within a purely legal framework.”
Caption: Respect Transport Worker campaign launch in Liberty Hall in February 2024 (l to r) SIPTU Dublin Bus Shop Steward, Susanne Armstrong, SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, Dublin Bus worker and SIPTU National Executive Council, Stephen Millane.