Rules banning Dublin bus drivers from listening to the radio while on duty have been lifted.
A petition signed by over 3000 Radio Nova listeners helped towards the change, and three bus drivers joined Dee & Marty on the Morning Glory from 9am to play some of their favourite songs.
Sean, Matt and “Chico” said “This policy is being forced upon us and we will be sacked on the first offence if caught listening to our transistor radios”
The zero-tolerance measures that were put in place meant that drivers would be severely disciplined for using electronic devices, including transistor radios, while driving the buses.
The National Bus and Rail Worker’s Union threatened industrial action over the ban citing health and safety in the Port Tunnel where all drivers must have a radio turned on so that emergency services can interrupt the transmission in case of emergency.
Dublin Bus said it had 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”, however this lunchtime those rules were lifted.