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An estimated 45,000 bus-users were left stranded in Cork yesterday as they arrived at bus-stops to discover that services had…

An estimated 45,000 bus-users were left stranded in Cork yesterday as they arrived at bus-stops to discover that services had been withdrawn. A Bus Eireann spokesman said at least 30,000 city commuters had to make last-minute arrangements to get to work while 10,000 provincial bus-users and 5,000 people who used Bus Eireann's Expressway services were also affected.

An unofficial strike by Iarnrod Eireann linesmen meant the Cork-Dublin and Cork-Tralee mainline trains were cancelled, stranding 4,000. In addition, thousands of passengers who use the rail services between Cork and Cobh and Mallow and Cork were stranded.

Some bus drivers in west Cork collected passengers and drove to the city as normal yesterday only to learn of the unofficial strike.

Schoolchildren using private bus services were not affected, but those depending on Bus Eireann had to make alternative arrangements. Bus Eireann drivers maintained the service provided to children with special needs. In Kerry, thousands of commuters were left without bus or train services after lightning strikes by workers supporting the Dublin Bus protest. School bus services were badly affected when up to 36 Expressway drivers failed to turn up for work.