Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are to take legal action in response to tomorrow's strike by drivers.

Both companies are to go before the High Court tomorrow in a bid to recoup the losses they expect to incur as a result of the action.

Tomorrow's bus strike will go ahead as planned as talks aimed at averting the action broke down today.

Union leaders have said they “heard nothing new” at the Labour Relation Commission this afternoon from the two bus companies – Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann – and would continue with plans for industrial action.

Eoin Reidy of SIPTU said the companies: “knew very clearly what we required – we required substantial movement, progress, the scope for agreement on our six point agenda.”

For the union progress on the six point agenda, Mr Reidy said, “ is the only way we can resolve all these issues, which is to resolve the consequences of privatisation and there’s nothing new from the employers today.”

More than one million passengers will be left stranded when Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann services grind to a halt at midnight tonight for 48 hours.

The row centres on plans to sell off one in ten routes to private operators.

Transport Minsiter Paschal Donohoe has said "It is extremely disappointing" that talks have broken down.

Mr Donohoe reiterated that he feels the action is unjustified - saying it will cause considerable damage to an economy that is in recovery, as well as having significant financial implications for the bus companies "who are only just getting back on their feet," and "discommode the travelling public."

Head of HR at Dublin Bus Philip Donohue has called for a late reversal of the plans.

"It’s unfortunate even at this late stage that this dispute is going ahead. It’s going to cause hardship to the travelling public, but it’s also going to cause financial hardship to both of the companies.

"Again I would ask people to see sense, even at this late stage, and to re-engage in a process to try and finalise and agree a mechanism for dealing with the issues that arise as a result of market opening," he added.