Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Like the Deputy, I visited Summerhill bus station recently and I agree on the progress being made in the provision of services. Similarly, I got the message that a shortage of mechanics, as well as drivers, is a real issue. We do have to resolve that, and we can and will.

To go into the detail of some of the figures, so people have an understanding of this antisocial behaviour, I referred to 2,791 incidents. Dublin Bus transported 145 million passengers last year and there was something like 621 incidents of antisocial behaviour. Bus Éireann transported some 44 million passengers and the figure was 372. Go-Ahead buses transported about 16 million passengers and the figure was 320. On the Luas, which transported 48.2 million passengers, there were 748 incidents. On Irish Rail, which transported 45.5 million passengers, there were some 704 incidents of antisocial behaviour. We have to look at each category of public transport. Also, as the Deputy will agree, we have to look at the experience of the passenger when they are waiting at the bus stop or railway station. The safety issue does not just relate to when people are on the vehicle. Particularly for women, it is very important that we get a safe environment around the service.

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