Luas ( Transdev ) Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Local Link bus services and the taxi industry are uniting this month to launch a campaign to challenge racism on public transport. Coordinated by the Immigrant Council of Ireland in partnership with Transport for Ireland and Dublin City Council, it is the biggest anti-racism campaign of its kind in Europe with over one thousand posters displayed during a two week period.
Brian Killoran, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said, “The Immigrant Council is proud to link up with national transport agencies to promote a message of solidarity and zero tolerance towards racism. The public transport system is the perfect partner as it both serves and represents the cultural diversity in Ireland.
“We have learned around one in six of Dublin Bus employees are from a migrant background, with 70 different countries represented. A total of 33 different backgrounds are represented among Bus Éireann’s 2,536 employees and among Iarnród Éireann’s 3,832 staff 23 different countries of origin are represented. Among 264 Transdev staff, 30 different nationalities are represented.”
Anne Graham, Chief Executive of Transport for Ireland, said: “Ireland has become more diverse and more mature in recent years, and the staff who deliver our public transport services certainly reflect these positive changes. However that doesn’t mean we can be complacent, and prejudice and intolerance – whoever the target may be – need to be tackled head on.
“This is the fifth year the campaign has run and the positive impact on the transport agencies and their staff has been encouraging. Transport for Ireland is delighted to give this campaign our full support.”
*Anyone who witnesses or experiences racism on Ireland’s transport system is urged to email stopracism@immigrantcouncil.ie.
