THE Republic faces commuter chaos over the bank holiday weekend after 11th hour efforts failed to avert strike action by bus workers.
Drivers at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann began a two-day work stoppage at midnight over management proposals on privatisation.
The state's Labour Relations Commission had summoned all parties to crisis talks yesterday afternoon in a bid to secure a deal that would have seen workers drop the threat of industrial action.
However, SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union failed to reach an agreement with the two companies' representatives.
Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann said last night they would take legal action against the trade unions to recoup any losses from the strike.
Bus Éireann said it was "bitterly disappointed" by the strike action and claimed the walkout was "completely unwarranted and disproportionate".
"This decision now seriously impacts the daily lives of our customers, the financial security of the business and the wider economy," it said.
"It will result in the loss of an estimated 250,000 passenger journeys and €1.5 million in revenue."
The chief executive of Bus Éireann, Martin Nolan, had said the May bank holiday weekend was one of their busiest of the year.
Bus drivers are planning further stoppages on May 15-16, and a three-day strike on May 29-31.
The two-day strike will have a knock-on effect on Translink customers. The company said last night that Goldline services to Dublin from Belfast and
Derry will operate to and from Dublin's Custom House.
Further information is available on Translink's website, www.translink.co.uk.
Meanwhile, customer satisfaction with bus services in Northern Ireland has reached a six-year low, the Consumer Council said.
Service and cleanliness ratings dropped while opinions about Ulsterbus stations hit an all-time low.
Translink exceeded performance targets for service reliability, but punctuality on Ulsterbuses dipped slightly below target.