THE THIRD 48-HOUR Dublin Bus strike in the current dispute starts tomorrow morning – with the last services set to depart at 9pm tonight.

The same arrangements as in previous strikes apply, essentially: Dublin Bus management says the early finish tonight is necessary “to ensure the safe and secure return of buses to each depot prior to the commencement of industrial action by all employees at midnight”.

It has apologised to customers for the disruption to services this week. In a statement, it has also urged employees and trade unions not to engage in the strike action. Full details of services affected are available here.

Here are the main points you need to know: 

• The final departures on all Dublin Bus services will be up to and including 9pm this evening. This includes Airlink services
• The Ghostbus Tour will operate as normal tonight at 8pm
• No Dublin Bus routes, sightseeing tours or Airlink services will operate tomorrow or Saturday
• Nitelink services will not operate this weekend

Unions are seeking a 15% pay increase over the next three years and a 6% rise they say they were due to get under an agreement in 2009, but which was deferred.

Two 48-hour strikes have already taken place this month – and drivers announced an escalation of their action last week, with 13 more days of strike action planned for September and October.

Transport Minister Shane Ross yesterday reiterated his position on the dispute, saying he wouldn’t ride in “on a white horse in shining armour and have a cheque book and say that’s going to solve the problem”.

Read: An articulated truck is blocking part of the M50 in Dublin >

Read: Irish universities fail to make the top 200 in global rankings >