Some of the drivers taking unofficial industrial action at Dublin Bus returned to work this afternoon.
Dublin Bus said a significant number of the 250 drivers at Clontarf garage were back at work and services operating out of the depot were “beginning to get back to normal”.
However, at the Harristown garage all drivers bar two are continuing their work stoppage resulting in the cancellation and curtailment of many services in the capital.
Thousands of commuters across Dublin were left stranded this morning after the protest by drivers at Harristown and Clontarf depots.
The dispute, which is over the introduction of service changes, means that 25 routes are not operating while a further 15 are offering a limited service.
Siptu and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU), which represent workers at Dublin Bus, said the action was not official and is not associated with the trade unions.
The protest started when Dublin Bus suspended a driver for refusing to work the new schedule on the 128 Baldoyle-to-Rathmines service. The 450 staff at the Harristown depot stopped work in sympathy with the driver before the dispute escalated to the Clontarf depot.
A spokeswoman for the company said that although the changes were originally implemented successfully in Clontarf drivers from Harristown attended at the garage resulting in the "cessation of all services".
The changed schedule was one of a number introduced by Dublin Bus yesterday as part of its plans to take 120 buses out of service in an effort to save €31 million annually. Unions at the State-owned company agreed at the Labour Court earlier this month to accept the cost-saving proposals.
The spokeswoman said the changes proposed at Harristown were “minor in nature” and similar to changes which took place in other garages and added that they were "in line with the Labour Court recommendation and did not affect the status of any staff member".
The drivers had asked management to delay the cuts on the 128 route until May 10th, but this was rejected.
Dublin Bus apologised to commuters over the disruptions.
In a bid to help commuters gardaí have opened all outbound bus lanes on the northside of the city to regular traffic between the hours of 4:30pm and 7pm.
As of this afternoon the following routes have no service:
4/4a Harristown to Blackrock/Stradbrook
13/13a Merrion Square to Harristown
17a Finglas to Kilbarrack
27b Eden Quay to Harristown via Beaumont Hospital
27x Clare Hall to UCD Belfield
31b Eden Quay to Howth Summit
32a Eden Quay to Malahide
32x Malahide to UCD Belfield
33b Portrane/Donabate to Swords
40/a/b/c/d Finglas to City Centre
42a/b Lower Abbey Street to Blunden Drive / Beaumont Hospital (42a)
43 Lower Abbey Street to Swords Business Park
53 Eden Quay to East Wall Road
53a Eden Quay to North Wall (Alexandra Road)
83 Harristown to Kimmage
102 Sutton Station to Airport via Swords
103 Clontarf Dart Station to OMNI Shopping Centre
104 Clontarf Dart Station to Cappagh Hospital
128 Clongriffin to Rathmines (Palmerston Park)
140 Finglas to Leeson Street
142 Portmarnock to Rathmines (Palmerston Park)
237 Blanchardstown to Castleknock
238 Blanchardstown to Tyrellstown
239 Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre
270 Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to Dunboyne
A limited service has been restored to the following routes
27 Talbot Street to Clare Hall
29a Eden Quay to Newgrove Cross
31 Eden Quay to Howth Summit
32/b Eden Quay to Portmarnock
42 Lower Abbey Street to Sands Hotel (Portmarnock) / Coast Road (Malahide)
130 Lower Abbey Street to Castle Avenue
The following routes have a curtailed peak time service
37 Hawkins Street to Carpenterstown
37x Carpenterstown to UCD Belfield
38/a Hawkins Street to Damastown
38b/c Hawkins Street to Tyrrelstown
39 Hawkins Street to Ongar
39x Ongar to UCD Belfield
41 Lower Abbey Street to Swords Manor
41x Swords to UCD Belfield
70/a Hawkins Street to Dunboyne