Dublin Bus strike to take effect from midnight

Bus services in Dublin are set to come to a standstill from midnight tonight.

The strike over the implementation of a €12m cost-cutting plan in Dublin Bus is continuing despite the company's pleas to employees to reconsider.

Those planning on socialising in Dublin tonight are warned that the strike will affect Nitelink buses, which will not operate a service tonight.

President of the Irish Taxi Drivers Federation, John Usher, told Radio Nova that while he has sympathy for the bus drivers, there are plenty of taxis available to pick up the slack.

"We do have a huge oversupply of taxis operating in Dublin … people can go out tonight and safely assume that there will be taxis to bring them home because that will be the case."

Dermot O'Leary from the National Bus and Rail Workers Union said the drivers "don't want to be on strike."

"The company decided to implement this plan without agreement, so it's at their door," he said.

"It's unfortunate that people will be discommoded … but the strike goes ahead if the company goes ahead."