Bus drivers will withdraw service on Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann routes from 7pm this Thursday evening in protest at what they see as government inaction on public transport.
NBRU Acting General Secretary Michael Faherty
Members of the National Bus and Rail Union are protesting over the Government's failure to honour commitments to provide additional buses for the two companies and consult with unions on proposals for a new Dublin Transport Authority.
A spokesperson for Dublin Bus confirmed that about 60 per cent of its drivers are members of the NBRU with the remainder members of Siptu.
She called on all drivers who were scheduled to work on Thursday to turn up for work and pointed out that the company is not in dispute with the drivers on any issue.
NBRU Acting General Secretary Michael Faherty said that union members did not wish to inconvenience the public but felt that they had no option.
"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," said Faherty.
"The Minister for Transport, Mr Martin Cullen, promised that up to 100 buses would be provided to Dublin Bus immediately. In addition to that, the Minister promised a further allocation of buses to both Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann once the companies had submitted business plans to him.
"They did so last January and 100 extra buses should have been running in Dublin alone this year. So far nothing has happened.
"Nor have we been consulted over the new Dublin Transport Authority, what functions it will have or how the two bus companies will be affected by it.
Siptu vice-president Brendan Hayes
"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."
Faherty said drivers would resume normal service on Friday morning but further protests would be held if the Government did not honour its commitments.
Siptu has released the text of a letter it has sent to Minister Cullen in response to media reports that the additional buses have been delayed pending progress in negotiations with the unions.
"SIPTU would consider this a most serious development that could give rise to a period of instability in this industry that would not serve the interests of any stakeholder - least of all the travelling public and the workforce," said Brendan Hayes, Siptu vice-president.
"The travelling public deserves better than to be the victims of an ideological battle within Government
"Accordingly we are seeking an immediate meeting to clarify the situation and to secure a commitment to the immediate provision of the additional busses that are essential to Dublin Bus, the proper provision of services to the travelling public and the protection of our members' terms and conditions and security of employment.