The Department confirms that it has received notification of two bus strikes to be held during peak times on Wednesday 3rd April 2013 (07:30 to 09:30 hours and 15:00 to 17:00 hours). As this is not a school day, the Department intends to operate a Sunday timetable with some enhancements to assist those who use the bus service to get to and from work. Details of any changes from the Sunday timetable will be published in advance on the Department’s website and through the media.
Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure said “I am surprised by the timing of this strike given that the Department outlined a possible solution to the dispute on 14th March which I know has been put to the union by the Industrial Relations Officer. The only response we have had is this notice of industrial action. We are not able to operate normal weekday services between the strike periods because drivers taking part in the strike are likely to leave their vehicles at the side of the road when the strike begins. This would mean that we would have to operate an emergency timetable based on operating services from where the buses actually are from when the service restarts after each strike period, rather than where they should be. Also there remains the significant risk that passengers will be stranded when each of the strikes start. It is safer and better for our passengers that we provide a set timetable that we know we can operate.”
