CCI urges Brennan to use private operators on strike day

Private bus operators should be allowed to collect passengers at any stage of their routes on Thursday if Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann are on strike, the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland said today.

The call was made by the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) who want Transport Minister Seamus Brennan to issue an order in advance of the expected disruption.

CCI Chief Executive John Dunne said: "Under the present arrangements, which allow a very limited amount of competition on routes in the Dublin Bus area, private operators are not allowed to pick up passengers on the portions of their routes that are served by Dublin Bus.

"We are calling on the Minister to make this order to ensure that at least some areas will have some level of service on Thursday."

Dunne also called on the Minister to make the order 'open-ended' to prevent further wild cat action.