DUBLIN BUS HAS rowed back on its zero-tolerance policy that would have prevented drivers from using transistor radios.

The company announced at the end of last month that it would be enforcing legislation that prevented the use of all electronic devices by drivers; something that would have seen the us of the use of the radios outlawed.

Unsurprisingly, drivers were not in the least bit happy about this.

Almost immediately the National Bus and Rail Union – which represents large numbers of drivers – hit back against the measure, saying that its drivers would stop using the Port Tunnel in opposition to the ban.

What’s happened now? 

In a statement to TheJournal.ie this evening, Dublin Bus confirmed that it had met with unions and confirmed that while the zero-tolerance policy against electronic devices would remain in place, it would not apply to transistor radios.

“Dublin Bus management reinforced the importance of the Driver Safety Handbook and procedures which prohibit unsafe practices while driving,” a spokesperson for the company said.

In a notice to its members, the NBRU stated that during its discussion with the company it had also been concluded that there was no issue with drivers using electronic devices at bus terminuses and that emergency calls can be taken after a driver pulls over and turns the bus’s engine off. 

- Additional reporting Michelle Hennessy 

Read: Dublin Bus drivers to ditch Port Tunnel if they can’t listen to their radios

Also: New policy will see “zero-tolerance” shown to Dublin Bus drivers listening to the radio