The bus workers' stoppage caught some people at Dublin bus-stops unawares, writes Kitty Holland.
Mr Tommy Phelan says he is going to listen to the news more. Leaning against a bus-stop at the bottom of O'Connell Street, Dublin, just before noon yesterday, he was waiting for a number 11 to take him to DCU.
"I didn't know there was a strike. I haven't seen the news in about three weeks. I may start walking I suppose," he shrugged. Smiling, he said he had been wondering what "the big stream of lads" was, referring to the bus and rail-workers' march that had passed him on its way to Leinster House.
It would take him about an hour to walk to DCU, where he studies science. "I don't really mind. If they have to strike they have to strike."
Mr Pat Lyons and his friend Ms Yuka Ozeki were more worried. Waiting at the top of O'Connell Street, they had been waiting to take a bus to Blackrock for lunch with a friend. Told about the strike they said they'd get a DART. Told there was no DART service either, Mr Lyons exclaimed: "Oh my God. And we have just bought six little tarts in the Epicurean Food Hall."
While Ms Ozeki said she was annoyed, Mr Lyons said there was no point getting annoyed but he was worried they would not have enough money for a taxi. "Oh dear. That is going to cost at least €15." It appeared that at about half the bus-stops in Dublin city centre yesterday, in the hour after the work-stoppage by bus workers started, there were people waiting. At least half appeared to be foreign nationals.
Mr Alexandre Duart, from Brazil, was waiting on D'Olier Street for a 14A to Dartry, where he had a painting job. Further along, Mr Jing Huifu from China was waiting for a number 10 to Ballsbridge, while Ms Murtazim Abdlla was waiting for a bus to the North Circular Road.
"I need to go to work there," she said. "I am going to have to walk now and I think it will take an hour or even more." A spokeswoman for Dublin Bus said the company had "about 20 to 30 inspectors" around the city-centre letting people know there would be no service until the afternoon.
"We have had in excess of 200 calls this morning from people wanting to know things like could they get on a bus at five to eleven, but no complaints."
Iarnród Éireann, however, did receive "a handful" of complaints.
"Just really about the fact that the strike is happening at all. I think 'disgraceful' is the word most people have used," said spokesman Mr Barry Kenny.