Rail and bus companies are preparing to carry record numbers of passengers over the Christmas and new year period.
Iarnrod Eireann will put on more than 50 special trains to cope with the increased demand. Bus Eireann says 200,000 passengers are expected over the period. A special timetable will operate.
On New Year's Eve, Iarnrod Eireann services on Intercity rail routes will finish early, with no departures after 5.30 p.m. There will be no train services on Iarnrod Eireann or Northern Ireland Railways on Christmas Day or St Stephen's Day.
Bus Eireann will operate normal weekday services on Christmas Eve, although some routes will stop earlier than usual. There will be no service on Christmas Day. A limited service will be provided on St Stephen's Day until New Year's Eve. A Sunday service, with some alterations, will be provided on New Year's Day and on January 2nd. Full services resume on January 4th.
In Dublin, regular DART, Arrow and other suburban services will operate on Christmas Eve until about 9 p.m.
A limited DART and Drogheda line suburban service will resume on Monday, December 27th. There will be no other services on suburban routes. On Tuesday, December 28th, the service will be a Saturday service.
On New Year's Eve, a Sunday service will operate until about 9 p.m. On New Year's Day, January 2nd and January 3rd a Sunday service will be provided on the DART and Drogheda suburban lines. Normal services resume on Tuesday, January 4th. Regular Dublin Bus services will operate on New Year's Eve between 9 a.m. and 9.30 p.m., while Nitelink buses will run between 11.30 p.m. and 2.30 a.m. On December 26th and 27th there will be a limited Sunday service with no Nitelink. The same will apply on New Year's Day. Irish Ferries will operate normally over the holiday, but there will not be sailings on Christmas Day. A limited service will be provided on New Year's Eve.
For more information on Dublin Bus consult its website: www.dublinbus.ie Iarnrod Eireann's information line is 1850 366 222