CIÉ is relying on the goodwill of the public not to exploit the "no-fares day" protest action by transport unions on Friday, urging those who use cars, cycle or walk to work to stick to their normal habits.
As a result of the decision of bus and train workers not to collect fares on Friday, customers on all of CIÉ services, including city bus, DART, mainline rail and provincial bus services, will be able to travel free unless they have already bought their tickets.
CIÉ is concerned that an over-enthusiastic response to the unions' initiative will lead, not to free buses and trains, but overcrowding and cancellations of services.
"We are in uncharted waters here so we don't know what the public reaction will be," said CIÉ spokesman Mr Cyril Ferris. "We are appealing to the public to make their regular journeys only as any increase in demand could lead to difficulties."
Unions decided yesterday to go ahead with the action on Friday in protest at reforms of the sector planned by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan.
He intends to break up CIÉ and establish its three transport companies, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus, as three separate entities.
Of even greater concern to unions is his plan to have 25 per cent of the Dublin bus market opened to competition from private operators by early next year.
Despite a projected loss of revenue of €1.2 million in total, the three companies decided yesterday that services would be provided as normal.
Mr Ferris said the decision not to cancel services had been taken in the interests of the travelling public, including those with pre-paid tickets.
Action to recoup the lost revenue would be considered after Friday.
It is thought this could involve legal action against the unions which participate in Friday's action, but Mr Ferris said no decisions had yet been taken. "We have to examine all options."
The company does not intend, however, to take disciplinary action against individual members of staff.
Mr Ferris said there were no insurance implications for customers as, contrary to some suggestions, they did not have to pay a fare to be insured.
Unions plan to hold a press conference in Dublin tomorrow to outline the reasons for the no-fares day, and further days of action planned for the autumn and winter.
After Friday, the next action planned is a day of protest, including demonstrations, on Tuesday, August 19th.
One-day stoppages are to follow on September 16th, October 14th and November 18th, all Tuesdays. A two-day strike is planned for Monday and Tuesday, December 8th and 9th.
