NEW RULES SET to come into force from Monday will prevent Dublin Bus drivers from listening to the radio.
The new “zero-tolerance” measures mean that drivers can severely disciplined for using electronic devices – including transistor radios – while driving the buses.
The move has been met with opposition from drivers.
In a letter to Dublin Bus, the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) has stated that it “totally and utterly” refuses to accept transistor radios being placed on a banned list.
The union has said that it will respond to the implementation of the new rules by advising its members not to use the two-way radio system installed on the buses except in dire emergency situations.
It has also said that it will be referring the matter to the Workplace Relations Commission with a request that Dublin Bus defer from implementing the radio ban.
In a letter to the commission dated yesterday the union said that its members are “extremely angry” about the changes.
Currently there are no laws preventing private citizens from listening to the radio while driving.
Responding to TheJournal.ie this evening, Dublin Bus said:
Further to your query, Dublin Bus has a longstanding policy prohibiting the use of mobile phones and electronic devices while driving. This is part of driver safety training. We are now implementing a zero-tolerance policy to reinforce this message to employees.
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