Liam Cahill talks to Tom Darby of the National Busmen's Union (NBU) about the row over CIE's introduction of new bombardier buses. NBU members have refused to operate the new bus as the ceiling is a quarter of an inch lower than the current buses.
The luxury double decker buses were due to go on the road on 25 May 1981 but plans were abandoned when the NBU objected to the new buses saying that the roof of the upper deck was too low for the conductor.
According to the union's general secretary Tom Darby
Only a midget could work in this new bus.
CIE says that the roof is only a quarter of an inch lower than the buses currently on the road. At 5 foot 8 inches high, CIE say that it is within the regulations under the Road Traffic Act. The only difference between the two is that the old bus had a domed roof which made it look higher than it was.
Tom Darby further comments
When our people got on the bus, their heads were hopping off the roof.
He also says that the bus drivers and the union were never consulted on the new buses, and refutes any claims that the union is seeking any additional money for the introduction of the new buses.
An RTÉ News report by Liam Cahill broadcast on 26 May 1981.
