Hundreds of thousands of commuters are set to be left without a bus service from next week as workers stage an all-out strike.

The board of the company announced their cost cutting plans within the past hour and confirmed that immediate cost savings would be implemented from Monday.

Commuters face travel chaos and an all-out bus strike after talks between Bus Éireann and unions collapsed.

The National Bus and Rail Union has said that it will attend talks over cutbacks at Bus Éireann if the company withdraws previous correspondence setting out the cuts.

Passengers flying into Dublin Airport rarely have to wait more than an hour to lug their bags onto a Bus Éireann bus to Galway, as there are 15 services throughout the day.

Passengers are facing chaos as Bus Éireann workers are set to stage an all-out strike.

Bus Éireann workers have accused the company of engaging in “open warfare” after it announced a series of “draconian” pay cuts which threaten to push the semi-state company into strike action within weeks.

Bus Éireann could go bankrupt before the year end if emergency measures are not introduced, it’s acting chief executive warned.

Revitalising small towns takes many things: A bus or rail service is one of them, writes Gerard Howlin.

Update 9.37pm: SIPTU members have rejected a plan presented by the management of Bus Éireann to workers this evening, according to sector organiser Willie Noone.

Bus Éireann and trade unions were on a collision course last night after workers criticised immediate cost-cutting measures introduced by the state-owned company, which includes a ban on unrostered overtime and an embargo on recruitment.

REPAIR WORK

A Labrador tries to befriend a little boy with Down Syndrome, who pushes her away. In friendship, as in life, persistence is everything.

THE touring Vodafone All Stars got their first glimpse of the venue for today’s exhibition clash when they paid a leisurely visit yesterday to the Hurling Club in the aptly named district of Hurlingham on the outskirts of Buenos Aries.

RAFAEL BENITEZ admits that he finds it easier to influence European games than he does Premier League matches.

Argentinian striker Franco Di Santo is confident he can soon break into the first team at Chelsea.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admits he is looking for a new forward – and can see why Andriy Shevchenko and Samuel Eto’o are being linked with a big-money to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba flies out to the African Nations Cup after this weekend’s FA Cup third round, leaving Arsenal with a potential headache over their own Ivory Coast duo.

Chelsea 1 Wigan 0

Rafael Benitez has no doubts that last season’s controversial winner against Chelsea in the Champions League was valid – because his secretary told him so.

JOSE MOURINHO last night kicked off the psychological war a full month ahead of the new season by claiming that arch rivals Arsenal receive preferential treatment from all quarters.

Chelsea have confirmed that striker Hernan Crespo will return to Stamford Bridge for the new Barclays Premiership season.

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho welcomed his team of Premiership champions back to training yesterday and was boosted by the return to fitness of left-back Wayne Bridge.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliano claims Chelsea had no intention of extending Hernan Crespo’s loan spell at the San Siro.

Hernan Crespo is set to return to Chelsea and play in England next season, according to the Argentinian striker’s agent.

AC Milan 1 Man Utd 0

Tipperary 0-5 Wexford 1-3, Nowlan Park, 2.25pm

Locked doors prevented or slowed the escape of supermarket shoppers in Asuncion, Paraguay, from a fast-spreading fire that killed well over 300 people and injured hundreds more, survivors said.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims the club will only move for Marseille striker Didier Drogba if Hernan Crespo opts to move on.

CHELSEA are looking to for a defender, midfielder and a striker for the new Premiership season, with Argentine Hernan Crespo unlikely to fit into their plans, new manager Jose Mourinho hinted last night.

Claudio Ranieri admitted his Chelsea team did not play well as they reached the Champions League quarter-finals with a goalless draw against Stuttgart tonight.

Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 2

CHELSEA boss Claudio Ranieri appeared to question Hernan Crespo’s professionalism after the striker’s fitness pledge quickly backfired against Liverpool.