Commuters have been told to brace themselves for a bus strike.

Drivers at Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have voted by over 90 per cent in favour of industrial action.

The ballot follows the breakdown of LRC talks over plans to privatise one-in-ten bus services.

No date has been floated yet for the protest, but Trade Union SIPTU, who's representing workers, says shop stewards from both companies will meet on Monday to discuss how to proceed.

SIPTU Utilities and Construction Division Organiser, Owen Reidy, said: “This result demonstrates the significant frustration amongst drivers in both companies at the lack of progress in addressing workers' concerns over the NTA plan to privatise 10% of bus services.

“We have been unable to persuade the NTA, to date, to abandon their flawed privatisation plan. SIPTU has also tabled a number of issues in the LRC facilitated talks, which were instigated by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Pascal Donohoe, that have not been adequately dealt with.”

He added: “This combined with both bus companies failure to guarantee the tenure, security and quality of our members’ employment has led to an impasse in the talks process and our members strong mandate for action. SIPTU senior shop stewards from both companies will meet on Monday to discuss how to proceed.”