A recent public transport briefing in Dublin highlighted the aftermath of last year’s riots, estimating damage costs at around €5 million. The National Transport Authority (NTA) acknowledged the need for better crisis communication and noted challenges in updating travel information during the chaos. The briefing questioned the delay in initiating a crisis management call during the night of the riots and emphasized the importance of timely decision-making in such situations.
Lessons learned included the necessity for improved communication through the TFI Live mobile app, particularly in notifying customers about the potential inaccuracies during security events. Template messages for various emergency scenarios, such as public disorder and severe weather, were proposed.
The briefing also detailed the destructive impact of the riots, with several vehicles severely damaged or destroyed. The NTA highlighted the importance of safety measures, such as activating emergency plans and rerouting services to ensure passenger and staff safety.
Despite the challenges faced, the briefing commended the collaborative efforts between An Garda Síochána, transport operators, and government agencies in managing the crisis effectively and ensuring public safety.