Security guards on Dublin Bus

Why is it the Gardai have no problem with Airport Police, but the notion of a Transport Police puts their backs up? Is it a funding thing they're afraid of?

It actually shocked me when I found out. I would have assumed Ireland had one of the lowest amounts of police per capita for an EU country given how few Gardai seem to be on our streets compared to most other cities.

I think some of the problem is the actual physicality and approach the Gardai let's face it the Gardai are not exactly as intimidating as say the Spanish police who probably baton charge you if you farted in their direction. Not saying I agree with police brutality but a middle ground can be had surely. Junkies should be afraid of the Gardai not the Gardai afraid of the junkies which seems to be the case atm.

Also noticed in recent years the security on the Luas now seem to be just average Irish lads and they seem to have more women now. Whereas it used to be big mostly Eastern European guyswhich seemed a bit more effective.

What's the point on having security if they're not going to be somewhat intimidating? I've heard it being said that their more interested in revenue protection than actual nowadays since the security is now in-house whereas previously it was done by STT security who were just contracted solely to do security.

Yeah it was one of those commercial sized wheely bins beside where the front doors of the bus would stop

Why? Is anti social behavior only a thing in Dublin?

The CSOs on Irish Rail and I'm sure the city buses in Limerick, Cork and Galway have many issues at times.

No we didn't have security on buses for decades. Top deck of an 80's bus could be the Wild West at times and were phased out for years in some places.

Irish cities have been getting less rough generally.

Good.

Things are still bad enough to put a lot of people off using Public Transport. I'd say that's the point that matters today.

I agree that things have regressed since covid.

They can make a citizens arrest but so can anyone

There are a million people a day using public transport so it musnt be putting that many people off

I get 4 bus's every day for the past 42 years never once saw any trouble, no need for security at all.. all gone soft eh?

There’s definitely known routes that have ongoing issues - some bus routes have stopped going into certain estates and areas of suburbs for this reason, depriving people of a quality public transport service .

Its great to see this initiative but I don’t doubt that the scotes will take on these security people - they have no fear these days - hopefully no serious injuries in the coming weeks

If you never saw any trouble in 42 years then what does it matter if people have gone soft?

I suspect this above comment may be a bit of a fib.

Good point - I’m not “up” on the latest and nature of violence directed towards Dublin busses - hopefully it alleviates some of the issues - but like anything it will just mean increased fares for all - DB will no doubt have its hand out shortly for more funding

I don't think UCD students, drunk or not, are ever going to be the reason we need security on public transport though