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Aircoach cancels some services due to driver shortage

Aircoach says the cancellations will impact services scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Aircoach says the cancellations will impact services scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Aircoach has apologised to customers for service disruptions which it says have been caused by an industry-wide shortage of drivers.

The company has cancelled a number of services on the 700, 701 and 702 routes between North Wicklow, South Dublin and Dublin Airport.

The cancellations will impact services scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Aircoach says it has concluded discussions with the SIPTU trade union, which represents many of its drivers, and there was positive engagement throughout the process.

There had been some disquiet amongst drivers about new roster arrangements last month and SIPTU negotiators were reported to have recommended accepting an offer made by the company which included a 4.8% pay increase.

The company said: "We are actively pursuing an intensive recruitment drive to restore our services to normal as swiftly as possible. Returning our services to the highest standard remains our top priority and we are committed to achieving this promptly."

Aircoach is asking customers planning to travel to Dublin Airport on any of its services to check its website for updates, or to contact the Aircoach support team via the online contact page or by calling +353 (0)1 844 7118.

On the continuing problems with Aircoach services, SIPTU Sector Organiser John Murphy said SIPTU has engaged with Aircoach in a "positive manner" which resulted in a recent agreement on a pay rise and new roster arrangements.

He said: "It is deeply unfortunate that the services continue to be disrupted but this is an issue resulting from a shortage of drivers that has been acknowledged by the company.

"SIPTU is focused on making our public transport system as attractive a workplace as possible. We have highlighted the disturbing rise in anti-social behaviour on the network in our Respect Transport Workers campaign. We believe that action needs to be taken on this issue in order to attract more workers into bus driving jobs generally."