Bus strike to hit on Thursday

Thousands of commuters across Ireland will be left stranded on Thursday night when bus drivers go on strike.

All Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann routes nationwide, including Nitelink services, will be withdrawn from 7pm as drivers take part in a public protest.

Normal timetable services will resume on Friday morning.

The protesters, members of the National Bus and Rail Union, claim the Government has failed to honour its commitments in providing additional buses for the two semi-State companies.

They also slammed the State for not consulting with the 3,500 strong union on proposals for a new Dublin Transport Authority.

NBRU acting general secretary Michael Faherty said drivers had no option but to strike.

“Both companies are now so seriously short of buses that normal services are seriously compromised and plans to expand services have been put on hold,” he said.

“Transport Minister Martin Cullen promised that up to 100 buses would be provided to Dublin Bus immediately, with a further allocation of buses to both Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann once the companies had submitted business plans to him.

“So far nothing has happened. We have to rely on media reports that it is policy differences at the Cabinet table that are preventing the urgently needed fleet expansion.”

Mr Faherty said the union has been left in the dark over what powers a new Dublin Transport Authority will have, and how the two bus companies could be affected by it. He warned further protests will take place.

“The authority will have a wide range of functions, but we do not know what they are,” he continued.

“We had been given a commitment we would be consulted along the way.

“Unlimited funding appears to be available for everything else, ranging from metros to the Luas and roads, but buses remain the poor relation of public transport although everyone accepts that in the short to medium term they provide the only solution to gridlock.”