LETTER: Appalling attitude to free travel pass

SIR – I was appalled, but not surprised, to hear Bus Éireann drivers on the Joe Duffy radio show, giving their opinions of the elderly (especially) and their use of the free travel pass. 

The clue is in the title – yet these guys, vehement in their opposition to pensioners and others who enjoy free travel, took it upon themselves to somehow influence political thinking regarding the non-issue of people, for whatever reason, being entitled to this welcome and small concession.

How dare bus drivers hold such animosity towards those who, in their younger and working years, have paid their taxes and now should be free to enjoy a free spin on the bus or train – every day if they wish. Bus staff who articulate publicly their personal views on free travel ought and must be disciplined by their superiors, and

indeed by our politicians, insofar as to declare folk are not going to lose their vital travel pass owing to the obvious disparagement of a section of society. 

I worked on the buses as a conductor decades ago and too many staff back then held the same views, but were very careful to keep such hurtful thoughts to themselves. Now, it seems, they wish to dictate policy themselves within Bus Éireann. 

Incidentally, the people of which I speak hated the job as a whole, and the drivers who are now complaining cruelly against free-travel and its use are of the same ilk, yet think they are on safe ground to do so. 

This must not be allowed.

Robert Sullivan,

Bantry.