Strike in Northern Ireland 13 March 2015

[Mickey H]

There is likely to be little or no public transport in Northern Ireland this Friday due to a strike. I assume that the 0735 ex Connolly etc (IE Crew) will only run to Dundalk.

I don't know what the position will be with Bus Eireann operated cross border services.

[Mark Gleeson]

Online timetable is not showing any services north of Dundalk for Friday

[Inniskeen]

Looks as if Irish Rail couldn't be bothered covering most of the services normally operated by Translink e.g no 0935, 1100, 1520 or 2050 from Dublin. Similarly most Enterprise services are cancelled between Dundalk and Connolly.

[berneyarms]

I would not expect there to be any trains north of Dundalk if most Translink staff are out on strike, as presumably it includes signalling and station staff.

Bus Eireann details for Friday are:

http://www.buseireann.ie/news_timetable.php?id=1715&month=Mar


Translink Proposed Industrial Action – Friday, 13 March 2015

Bus Eireann wishes to advise passengers that due to proposed Industrial Action by Translink staff on Friday, 13 March 2015 the following services will be affected:
•Route X1 Dublin/Belfast – The following Bus Éireann services will be in operation only:
From Busaras: 05:00, 06:00, 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00, 23:00
From Belfast: 03:00, 05:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00
•Route 33 Dublin/Derry – The following Bus Eireann services will be in operation only:
Ex Busaras: 06:00, 18:15
Ex Derry: 11:30, 24:00

The following services operating via Northern Ireland may also be affected
•Route 30 Dublin/Donegal – Pick up/drop off at Enniskillen Bus Station
•Route 32 Dublin/Letterkenny – Pick up/drop off at Omagh Bus Station & Strabane Bus Station
•Route 64 Sligo/Derry – Services will still continue to pick up at Foyle Street in Derry
•Route 480 – Services will still continue to pick up at Foyle Street in Derry.

Please note that every effort will be made to accommodate any extra passengers who plan to use our bus services on Friday, 13 March 2015, and we will monitor demand, whilst keeping capacity levels under constant review.

Intending passenger should, however, be aware that we have very limited additional capacity as this is normally a very busy time with regular Bus Éireann customers.

We regret any inconvenience this industrial action may cause our passengers.


Tuesday, 10th March, 2015

[Inniskeen]

If translink are on strike I wouldn't expect services to operate north of Dundalk, but I would expect normal services south of Dundalk which is not apparently what is planned.

[berneyarms]

If translink are on strike I wouldn't expect services to operate north of Dundalk, but I would expect normal services south of Dundalk which is not apparently what is planned.

Sorry - I was responding to Mark's post.

Yes that does seem rather odd to be honest - it could be done using two sets but maybe there isn't a spare set or crews available.

[Mark Gleeson]

Only 1 enterprise allocated unit on IE's book's so magically finding some extra staff and units for a Friday isn't going to happen

[Inniskeen]

They magically find sets and crew for some services, also there will be IR crew and set idle in Dundalk for over three hours on up to three occasions ! There are empty ICR movements to/from Drogheda within minutes of cancelled Belfast services, why not use these to fill some of the gaps.

No wonder IR have lost so much business to competitors, the needs of their passengers come a very poor second to operational and management convenience.

[berneyarms]

Only 1 enterprise allocated unit on IE's book's so magically finding some extra staff and units for a Friday isn't going to happen

Well they have actually found sets and staff for the 08:00 ex-Dundalk (06:50 ex-Belfast) and 16:50 ex-Connolly.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.irishrail.ie/news/translink-industrial-actionDublin/Belfast services: Industrial action in Northern Ireland on Fri 13th March
10 March 2015

Due to industrial action in Northern Ireland, there will be no rail services between Dundalk and Belfast this Friday 13th March.

Due to industrial action in Northern Ireland, there will be disruption to Dublin/Belfast Enterprise services this Friday 13th March.

No trains are expected to operate in Northern Ireland. The following scheduled Enterprise services will operate between Dublin and Dundalk only:

- 07.35, 13.20, 16.50, 19.00 Dublin Connolly to Dundalk
- 08.00, 11.48, 17.20, 22.48 Dundalk to Dublin Connolly

All other Enterprise services are cancelled. Customers travelling to and from Northern Ireland are advised to make alternative arrangements.

Customers who have previously booked on affected services through irishrail.ie will be contacted with refund and service arrangements. Customers who booked through Translink should contact Translink directly.

Dundalk/Dublin commuter services are unaffected.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.