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People have been urged to avoid using public transport, especially at peak times, before the return from schools tomorrow.
Students nationwide are required to return to schools in the morning after the week-long midterm break.
The executive director of the National Transportation Authority has said that this is likely to put “additional pressure” on public transport services operating at a restricted capacity of 25% in accordance with government level 5 restrictions.
In a statement, Anne Graham said that the introduction of Level 5 measures “has put some services under severe pressure”, with passengers being left behind in some cases.
She said the problem is most acute on early morning buses, particularly in the Dublin region.
“The return of schools on Monday is likely to create additional pressure,” he said. “We are eager to ensure that customers are aware of the situation.”
Ms. Graham said the NTA does not want to see a situation where “essential workers”, such as those who work in health care, cannot get on a bus.
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People who can work from home should do so, he said, while encouraging people to travel by foot or bicycle whenever possible.
“Customers who have no alternative to public transportation should expect their trip to be longer and plan ahead accordingly,” he added.
Meanwhile, before the return of the schools, the president of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland, has said that substantial advances in safety in schools are needed to avoid a strike.
Ann Piggott spoke the Friday after; ASTI members voted to strike until strike, seeking broader safeguards to protect teachers from Covid-19 in schools, as well as equal pay.
Also on Friday, the Department of Education said that Covid-19 response plans in schools have been “very effective” in suppressing transmission of the virus.
The statement added that the Department is facilitating ongoing engagement with union representatives, school administration, and public health officials.
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