Bus workers in Northern Ireland will go on strike from Tuesday, May 17, causing a “complete shutdown” on services until May 23.
There will be no buses in operation across Metro, Ulsterbus, Goldline, and Glider services for the entire period - however trains will remain in service.
According to Translink, the major disruption will affect over one million journeys across the week, thousands of which are students.
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The strike comes after a vote earlier this month by Translink workers, who are protesting their pay and working conditions.
Parents have been warned to organise children’s transport to school as no public buses will be running at all.
There has been widespread criticism over the timing of this strike as many pupils are due to sit their GCSE, AS, and A-Level examinations.
In response to this, the Department for Infrastructure advised anyone who can work from home to do so if their method of transport has been disrupted.
In defence of their action this week, Translink had previously said it "exhausted all options" during negotiations with the trade unions Unite and GMB over pay and conditions.
“All train services will continue to operate as normal," a spokesperson said.
“We will communicate relevant passenger information through the media, on our website www.translink.co.uk, through social media, in stations, and on buses and trains.
“Translink apologises for any inconvenience this may cause."
Speaking earlier in the week, GMB regional organiser Peter Macklin said: “Translink bus workers have once again shown their anger and frustration with the company.
“They were proud to carry out their duty during the pandemic, despite potentially putting themselves and their families lives at risk.
“Now they need some help to tackle the crushing cost-of-living crisis they face, but bosses aren’t listening.”
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