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Luas strike: Another stressful day for commuters, as Hailo demand surges

Regular Luas commuters are taking to buses, taxis, bicycles and cars to make it to work

TODAY MARKS THE second day of Luas strikes in Dublin, as tram-workers and company bosses continue to face each other down in a conflict over pay.

Yesterday’s action saw a big surge in people getting to work by other modes of transport – with significantly heavier traffic on Dublin commuter routes, as well as an increase in people getting buses, taxis and cycling. 

Today, most likely, will be no different – with widespread disruption expected for the tens of thousands of commuters who generally use the service every day.

Luas workers are looking for pay increases of between 8.5% and 53.8%.

The company that operates the Luas, Transdev, has said that it will not meet these demands but will offer a claim of between 1% and 3%, to include discussion on productivity.

Siptu members at Luas are seeking pay parity with Irish Rail workers, who earn more on average than they do.

While the workers said that they were aware of the inconvenience the disruptions would cause, they contended that they had no choice but to conduct the industrial action.

A spokesperson for Transdev this morning called for “sensible” and realistic discussions with Siptu.

Yesterday’s news

Yesterday morning saw the tens of thousands of people who normally get the Luas to work arrive by other forms of transport.

Not surprisingly, taxi-service Hailo reported a huge swell in business around the Dublin area.
https://vine.co/v/inmB0gzF9Eq

“Demand is crazy out there this morning, rest assured Team Hailo are working hard to get you through the #LuasStrike,” the company said on its Twitter page.

There were also reports of significant traffic congestion around the Dublin area, with AA Roadwatch reporting much higher levels of traffic than normal.

There were even pictures floating around of an increase in cyclists making their way into Dublin city centre.

What can you expect from today?

There’s no indication that today will be any different from yesterday, with widespread traffic congestion on all usual commuter routes, as well as busier buses, trains and a high demand for taxis.

But there are ways to minimise delays. Dublin City FM’s LiveDrive issued five survival tips for commuters:

  1. For shorter journeys – try walking.
  2. Cycle where possible.
  3. If travelling by public transport, know which alternative is best for you.
  4. Plan your route in advance, and leave extra time to anticipate delays.
  5. Check the traffic before you leave.

For anyone who has to get a bus or drive, leaving the house early will be essential. Keep an eye on the AA Roadwatch Twitter account for the latest in traffic updates.

Much the same as yesterday, Tranportforireland.com is providing up-to-date real time travel information for anyone who needs an alternative route to work.

Also, be sure to note:

  • Buses, Darts and train services will all run as normal, but will almost certainly be busier – so plan accordingly (you may need extra time in the morning to avoid traffic/ overcrowding).
  • Luas tickets will NOT be valid on other forms of transport.
  • Luas will NOT be providing an alternative transport service, so there will be no extra bus services in place to transport people from Luas stations.

Normal service will return on Saturday morning, but there are two further days of action planned for next week – with neither the workers nor Transdev looking like resolving the dispute right now.

Read: Luas workers on strike: here’s what you need to know to get around

Read: Luas drivers say they’re definitely going on strike next month

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47 Comments
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    Mute Colm O' Shea
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    Apr 29th 2023, 8:30 AM

    As demonstrated above there is no appetite for this bans from the majority of people. The Republicans are trying to cater to a subset of their base who are absolutely anti choice.
    See this as most of the problem with American politics, the Republicans are playing to the far end of the party and ignoring the centre right. This is also preventing either side from meeting in the middle and trying to compromise

    235
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    Mute Cian Nolan
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    Apr 29th 2023, 11:23 AM

    @Colm O’ Shea: Very much agree. I think there’s a significant portion of Americans who would be moderately conservative when it comes to financial and security matters but are moderately liberal on social/civil rights issues.

    74
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    Mute GERARD KENNELLY
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    Apr 29th 2023, 12:31 PM

    the kerry babies case has been described as pure evil

    meanwhile we vote in abortion ..

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    Mute Jo H
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    Apr 29th 2023, 1:47 PM

    @GERARD KENNELLY: you cannot seriously be trying to equate the two? A living, breathing child was actually murdered in Kerry and an innocent woman’s life was also ruined in the process.

    77
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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Apr 29th 2023, 2:21 PM

    @Jo H: I’m so sorry, but have you read what you’ve just written? It’s a complete oxymoron. A living breathing human and an abortion. IT’S THE SAME THING!!!!!!!

    32
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    Mute The Big Baba
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    Apr 29th 2023, 8:47 AM

    The Republicans were supposed to win big in the midterms. With high inflation and a sitting Democratic president, they had an open goal right in front of them. Yet they struggled to get over the line.

    The Supreme Court’s decision has handed the Democrats a very simple and compelling line: “We’re pro choice..”

    If the Republicans continue to embrace being anti-abortion, they will fail in all but the most conservative of states.

    156
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    Mute Nicky O'Donnell
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    Apr 29th 2023, 8:59 AM

    @The Big Baba: No one here cares about political point scoring at the cost of human rights. This is about women’s rights to autonomy over their own bodies and access basic healthcare, not the two party psychodrama of American politics.

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    Mute The Big Baba
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    Apr 29th 2023, 12:43 PM

    @Nicky O’Donnell: I like how you pretended to misunderstand what I said just so you could jump up on your pulpit, bravely decry the human rights violations that are taking place (clap clap, very good), and then tell me what the entirety of The Journal’s readership cares about.

    As the first paragraph clearly states, this article is about Republicans who are having second thoughts about their anti-abortion stance due to the impact that it might have on their political ambitions.

    Maybe you should actually read the article before blindly rushing to the comment section to show everyone else how upstanding you are.

    42
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    Mute Richard Ahern
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    Apr 29th 2023, 10:05 AM

    Her placard reads “Keep abortion safe” but it doesn’t specify for whom it should be safe. Is it for the woman, the baby or both? It’s confusing as abortion, by its very nature, involves destruction. On the other hand, maybe destruction is the new construction? Ah yes, that must be it. Now I’ve got it.

    81
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    Mute Brian Madden
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    Apr 29th 2023, 10:50 AM

    @Richard Ahern: what going on with creepy men wanting to control womens’ bodies?

    155
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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Apr 29th 2023, 10:55 AM

    William slevin
    “33.4% of us voted to keep the 8th”
    “We only need another 17% of voters to put a ban on abortion again…”

    The problem with those statements William is the fact you used to have 66%…. In 1984
    Im not really sure you want to concentrate on where that trajectory is going.

    67
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    Mute Colm O' Shea
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    Apr 29th 2023, 8:35 AM

    The Republicans are playing to the extremes of their party which in no way hold the same opinions on abortion as the general membership.
    This focus on the extremes makes it very hard for them to come together with the Dens and compromise as each see the others views as extreme.

    61
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    Mute Robert Halvey
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    Apr 29th 2023, 9:20 AM

    The fearfulland deluded republican base waging the cowardly spineless hollow heads.

    50
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    Mute William slevin
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    Apr 29th 2023, 11:59 AM

    @brain madden:”@Richard Ahern: what going on with creepy men wanting to control womens’ bodies?”

    What’s going on with creepy men and women wanting to kill unborn girls and boys in their mothers womb by means of abortion? Sounds like a horror movie or autrocitys you read in history books like human sacrifice…

    33
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    Mute William slevin
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    Apr 29th 2023, 11:28 AM

    @p.j. nolan:”William slevin
    “33.4% of us voted to keep the 8th”
    “We only need another 17% of voters to put a ban on abortion again…”

    The problem with those statements William is the fact you used to have 66%…. In 1984
    Im not really sure you want to concentrate on where that trajectory is going.

    The trajectory can always be sent back in the right direction…it may take time buy it will happen…with along and determined campaign.

    20
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    Mute William slevin
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    Apr 29th 2023, 11:56 AM

    @cian nolan:”@William slevin: Where do you see this 17% coming from though? Judging by the people who “protest” outside my local GP, most retain the 8th voters appear to be older. Unless there’s a very significant young pro life vote coming through I don’t see how the numbers change so dramatically”

    17% is not much to attain…Theirs many out their who regret their vote now as the death toll rises of the unborn girls and boys being killed in their mothers wombs by means of abortion…Theirs many young people who also think it’s wrong to kill defenceless unborn children in their mothers womb by means of abortion…

    With the right campaign and being diligent in our efforts we will succeed and the unborn boys and girls will be protected again and abortion will be banned

    23
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    Mute William slevin
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    Apr 29th 2023, 10:23 AM

    @Pat Ryan:”@William slevin: where they many down at the fairy ring last night .”

    What a failure of a response lol

    21
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    Mute Denis Ryan
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    Apr 29th 2023, 10:32 AM

    @William slevin: Is your daily quota 100 comments? Where do find the time. Put down your device and go for a walk. The fresh air will do you good.

    71
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    Mute William Slevin
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    Apr 29th 2023, 1:45 PM

    @Jill O’Leary:”@William slevin: ah give it a rest will ye!”

    You afraid the anti killing of unborn girls and boys in their mothers womb by means of abortion…gaining traction…

    20
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    Mute William Slevin
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    Apr 29th 2023, 2:35 PM

    @anna carr:”@William slevin: people just presume that all anti abortion folks are fire and brimstone catholics. They aren’t. Many people from all faiths, even pagans, even aethiests and agnostics just think it is wrong. The pro abortion folks bleat this same tired stuff all the time because they can’t think of any other argument. Don’t waste your energy my friend.”

    Your right in what you say and the repeat the same tired argument that’s why abortion in ireland will have a fleeting existence…

    So I must challenge them were I can…and on here is a good place to start…as the point of my reply isn’t to convince them but for the benefit of the reader to hopefully reach them and hopefully they change their position and vote in the next referendum or candidate to save the lives of unborn little girls and boys from being killed by their own mothers in their mothers wombs by means of abortion…

    It’s a small effort but what we can learn from the pro abortionists is that a steady increasing push and diligent continuous campaign to reach the heart of good people but instead of guilt used by the pro abortionists…they must of really looked up to the Catholic Church the regard of that tactic…I think we took for granted what people would vote…and to be honest sinn feinn and Mary lou Mcdonald I think are the ones that made it possible…I never voted anyone else’s other than sinn feinn since I started voting…as a young man when Mary lou came onto the political stage I looked up to her and couldn’t wait for her to take over and gerry Adams step aside….then she and sinn feinn campaigned for abortion i never voted for then again….

    The anti killing of unborn little girls and boys by means of abortion has still got a strong base to increase…

    One battle ground is here on thejournal.ie comments section…

    14
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    Mute William Slevin
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    Apr 29th 2023, 1:52 PM

    @denis ryan:”@William slevin: Too many questions, I allow you ask one. I see you finally got a profile picture, a wolf howling at the moon suits you. I’ve been here commenting for nine years, doubt you will reach a year without being banned. Nice use of lol, I imagine you typing frantically and then laughing manically. While everyone around you wonders who the weirdo is.”

    You’ve a fine imagination their lol…. ; )

    As for you being on here 9 years fair play to you I applaud you…

    You might be right about your year thing who knows…

    Yes you would see me as a weirdo…you being into the killing of unborn little girls and boys in their woman’s wombs by means of abortion xD

    13
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