Kildare's Bus Eireann passengers worried about future of Expressway services

Kildare people who use Bus Eireann's Expressway buses are worried about the future of the service.

Loss-making Bus Éireann said it may be forced to implement shut down its service which connects towns and cities.

The proposal comes in a report by consultants Grant Thornton commissioned by the company in a bid to address mounting losses at the state-owned bus company.

However the consultants also warn that redundancy costs could potentially top €85m, with some senior employees in line for pay-offs of over €500,000.

Management had already raised the prospect of relocating Expressway into a separate subsidiary with fewer staff on lower pay and conditions to face down competition from private operators.

However, Grant Thornton said closing Expressway down completely could be the most viable option, as there are "limited strategic reasons" for the State to own a commercial bus business.

That move would result in the closure of ten existing depots with the loss of 516 jobs.

Bus Eireann lost €5.6m in 2015, €6m in 2016, and has losses for 2017 forecast at over €7m.

Bus Éireann management is expected to formally present the Grant Thornton proposals to unions next week. General Secretary of the National Bus and Rail Union Dermot O'Leary called on all stakeholders - including the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport to get involved in talks aimed at saving services at the company.