Belfast drivers end two-day bus strike

Bus services in Belfast were today returning to normal after drivers agreed to end their two-day strike.

Union officials last night agreed to call off their unofficial walkout over an alarming wave of attacks on drivers, following talks with Translink management.

The two sides agreed a set of proposals which will see assaulted drivers get financial support.

Translink marketing manager Ciaran Rogan said he hoped to have all timetabled services operating by lunchtime.

‘‘Most services have returned to normal in Belfast,’’ he said. ‘‘So we just ask people if they do have a query about a specific route to contact our call centre on 90 333000.’’

The strike was caused because drivers were unhappy at Translink’s response to an increasing wave of attacks on staff.

The situation had become so bad that the company withdrew services from a number of routes in the north and west of the city.

John Coffey of the Transport and General Workers Union said the action has raised public awareness of the dangers faced by drivers in the city.

‘‘It’s highlighted to the public and to the company that we are not prepared to stand back and accept this,’’ he said.

One of the proposals involves setting up a taskforce to review how to deal with drivers who have been assaulted.

Mr Rogan added: ‘‘The task force has to take a complete look at how drivers are brought back into work after an attack.’’

The strike, which began without notice on Thursday, caused traffic chaos during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Hundreds of bargain hunters were left stranded for hours.