Significant disruption continues for commuters this lunchtime as a result of the Bus Strike.
Passengers are advised to make alternative arrangements as no Bus Eirean services are operating in the region today and reduced train services are in operation.
It could go on for three days or three months – those were the words of one bus driver I spoke to on the picket line in Sligo today as no sign of a resolution to the Bus strike continues….
It has been causing chaos for commuters all day with people without buses and then trains to connect with airports, get to jobs or see loves ones.
Train drivers in Sligo were refusing to pass the pick line as well with most services from Sligo cancelled today.
One girl I met waiting for a train in Sligo this morning was sitting crying on the footpath as she had no way to get to Cork to see her sick grandfather.
Another group of four were organising to try and take a taxi to Dublin – the best price they had got so far was around €280.
This man who is a Polish national living in Sligo told me he missed and important exam while these other people were also affected by today’s action:
The bus drivers too are furious – angry at letting down their passengers and in particular those who spoke to me seem very angry with the Transport Minister Shane Ross.
They feel he has not taken his responsibility in helping to resolve the dispute seriously.
They state they are not looking for more money but to retain what they have saying they have not received a payrise in more than 9 years.
Most of the Bus drivers I spoke to are extremely angry with the Transport Minister who they state has not come to the table to help resolve the dispute.
One of those on the picket line in Sligo today is Damien Healy, whose on the national executive of the NBRU for the NW.
I asked him how long they could be striking:
