Abuse of Luas staff is now “out of control”, a ticket inspector has claimed.
According to a recent poll, 80% of public transport workers say they have been subjected to abuse and over half say it happens to them at least once a week.
Speaking to Lunchtime Live, Luas ticket inspector Alan said in his experience it happens far more often than that.
“It is a daily occurrence,” he said.
“It’s completely out of control.”
Some of the abuse is verbal, but Alan said it can also be physical at times as well.
“People do put their hands on members of staff - in particular the ticket inspecting members of staff,” he said.
Alan said he and his colleagues “try to be as professional as possible” when confronted with abuse but it can be very difficult.
“Unfortunately, we just come across certain people who have no respect for frontline workers or transport workers,” he said.
“And it just starts from there.”
Trasnport in Dublin city Center, Ireland. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ieThe result is many of Alan’s colleagues have been signed off work as sick because of the stress and anxiety it has caused them.
“We do have a good support structure in place,” he said.
“The colleagues that I work with, they are the best in the world.
“So, when you’re in your teams with your colleagues, you can feel safe.
“It’s when you get separated - it can happen to anyone.
“Obviously, when you’re confronted by an aggressive passenger, you can feel unsafe.”
In Britain, policing on public transport is carried out by a dedicated Transport Police unit and inn Féin has called for one to be set up in Ireland.
It is a model of policing Alan feels would improve things for him, his colleagues and the public.
“Getting a dedicated Transport Police would be very welcome,” he said.
“It’s not only about the staff, it’s the passengers as well… If passengers don’t feel safe, staff don’t feel safe.”
In 2022, then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government was “some bit off” establishing a dedicated Transport Police unit.
Main image: The Luas.
