Irish Rail say no plans to cut staff numbers

IRISH Rail has denied claims that they are planning to cut staff numbers at DART stations, a move that critics say would have an adverse effect on passengers with mobility issues.

A recent public meeting at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire was attended by representatives of Disability Rights Now and the ‘Day In My Wheels’ campaign.

It was agreed that a “demonstration of solidarity” would be held with DART staff and users on March 10 at 7.45am at Sandycove & Glasthule DART station. Other demonstrations have been called for at stations along the line from Howth to Bray.

A petition, signed by 2,000 people, is also calling for the retention of current staffing levels at the Southside DART station.

The campaign is being organised by the People Before Profit party. One of their local councillors in Dun Laoghaire, David O’Keeffe, said the communities served by the DART deserve a “safe and reliable service which ensures equality of use for all passengers”.

“Any plan by Irish Rail to replace on-site staff members with machines at DART stations is going to have a huge effect on people with any kind of accessibility issue,” he added.

“Public transport should be for public use on the basis of equality, not a cost saving discriminatory service based on efficiency.

“I would urge people to get out to their local DART station on March 10 in solidarity with workers, people with disabilities and the local communities.”

Ciaran O’Rourke of the Disability Rights Now organisation attended the meeting at the Royal Marine Hotel.

Disability Rights Now is a People Before Profit campaign group that takes part in various protests to highlight the rights of persons with disabilities.

Mr O’Rourke said any move by Irish Rail to remove staff from stations would have major negative impacts on certain sectors of society.

Richard Boyd-Barrett, People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghaire, has also raised the issue of possible changes to station staffing along the DART line in a parliamentary question.

However, Barry Kenny of Irish Rail insisted that they were not changing staffing levels at any DART station.

“We are keeping staffing under review as there has been a dramatic change in customer behaviour, with customers moving to pre-paid vending machines,” Mr Kenny explained.

He added: “We will be commencing recruitment for temporary summer employees to ensure we have the necessary customer services in place for these busy months.”

REPORT: Andrew Ralph