Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue to which public transport is unfortunately not immune; and those who regularly use and work within our public transport network are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network.

While the safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff is of utmost importance, arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on public transport, are matters which first and foremost must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate.

All public transport operators take the safety and security of both passengers and staff very seriously, and work with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Garda Síochána to promote order and safety onboard their vehicles.

Iarnród Éireann have significantly increased their security resources with security spending up 50% in the past five years, from €3.7m in 2016 to €6.3m in 2023. They have established enhanced joint protocols with Gardaí both nationally and locally, which have been implemented through Operation Fanacht and beyond. This has included the establishment of rapid response support hubs in 14 locations (Mallow, Limerick Junction, Thurles, Portlaoise, Athlone, Kildare, Longford, Castlerea, Mullingar, Kilkenny, Killarney, Tralee, Athenry, and Tullamore) for Intercity services, with staff having direct lines to Gardaí for incident support. Further rapid response support hubs are being considered for Dundalk on the Northern Line, and at a suitable station on the Rosslare line.

These hubs are now fully operational with all onboard staff have dedicated phone numbers for each of the hub locations in the event they require assistance. This means should on-board staff request assistance by calling ahead to the next Garda Rapid Response Hub, they will receive priority service to deal with any issue. Since coming into operation, this level of response from An Garda Síochána has had a very positive impact in reducing the potential for such passenger issues escalating. Additionally, they have established a dedicated security monitoring centre for the Greater Dublin Area, with live station CCTV monitoring, staffed at all times of rail operations.

The DART alone has 576 cameras on the network, and 110 cab cameras. These DART cameras are monitored at Howth Junction in real time, who connect with the National Train Control Centre in emergencies. On commuter services, there are 464 cameras and 58 cab cameras. For Intercity services, there are 1448 cameras and 138 cab cameras. There is a dedicated security team who monitor these, and an established DART text alert line for discrete reporting of ASB incident. Iarnród Éireann have engaged with Commission for Railway Regulation, trade unions and other stakeholders including Gardaí at the Department of Transport Railway Safety Advisory Council; and with the NTA and other public transport operators at the NTA’s ASB working group to ensure best practice is shared and applied.

For Dublin Bus, the entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras with up to eleven internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet. Each vehicle is also equipped with a radio which facilitates immediate contact to our Central Control Centre. In cases of serious incidents on board a bus, central control co-ordinate with emergency services, such as the Garda and Ambulance Services, if required. There are also emergency "audible alarms" in place onboard all Dublin Bus Vehicles which can be activated by driver + Emergency "silent alarms" which can be activated by driver to contact Central Control and takes priority over all other calls. All Dublin Bus employees are fully trained on the comprehensive procedures for dealing with specific challenging situations including anti-social behaviour. We also have mobile inspectors in the city centre, who are available to attend incidents as required.

Dublin Bus has a strong and close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and has set up a number of community forums in different areas across the city. The company is also a member of the National Transport Authority’s Anti-Social Behaviour working group. In addition to this, Dublin Bus also operate a Schools Education Programme which involves educating young people about the importance of the bus in their lives and in their local community. The work of our School and Community Co-ordinators has also proven highly successful in encouraging young people to respect their bus and has assisted greatly in the reduction of incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Bus Éireann has invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout its fleet for the protection of passengers and staff and driver security screens are fitted to the entire low-floor, single-deck and double-deck bus fleet. All hubs are also monitored by CCTV. Emergency support for drivers is provided through 24-hour control centres and any incidents of anti-social behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required. Security personnel are employed in larger bus stations and extensive CCTV is also in operation throughout all stations to ensure the security of staff, customers and property. Bus Éireann have also used private security patrol personnel to assist where they have encountered localised issues on a particular bus route. Recent increased security measures in Busáras include moving core departures from operating outside the building into the departure gates within the station as well as reducing access points into Busáras to one main entrance.

Transdev Dublin Light Rail, who operate the LUAS network on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, employ 50+ security staff. These staff liaise with An Garda Síochána regularly as part of their work, such as through the Operation Citizen initiative, commenced in October, which has increased the visual presence of Garda patrols, particularly in the city centre where heavy footfall Luas Stops are located. Transdev have advised that there is a SOS button beside the ticket machine at every Luas Stop, directly connected to the Luas Network Management Centre, providing complete visibility of the person communicating with the Luas Traffic Supervisor. Cameras are in place on all platforms, and internally and externally on trams. LUAS depots are also monitored by CCTV in the Luas Network Management Centre. Transdev have also introduced a new initiative on a pilot basis, using their mobile app, LUAS customers will be able to communicate directly through the App with the operator’s control room and report an incident of ASB as it is happening. The technology will allow the Luas operator to locate quickly where the incident is happening and they will then provide the appropriate assistance

Go-Ahead has 2,424 cameras deployed on its vehicles. In the training fleet, a further 84 cameras are in operation. All Go-Ahead bus depots are also monitored by CCTV.

The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to proposed measures for the management of anti-social behaviour is an operational matter for the companies. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Transdev, and Go-Ahead for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.