Bus lanes in Northern Ireland will remain operational despite a week-long strike, it's been confirmed.
Unions announced the strike action this week, to begin on May 17, after a revised pay offer from Translink was refused.
And while there will be a predicted "complete shutdown" of bus services, motorists must still adhere to bus lane rules and times.
Read more: 'Complete shutdown' of Translink services to begin next week
Speaking to Belfast Live, a spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure encouraged people to "work from home where possible".
"It is intended that the bus lanes will remain operational during the industrial action," they added.
"Translink will ensure that information on public transport services during the industrial action is communicated to passengers through the media, on their website www.translink.co.uk, through social media, in stations, and on buses and trains. All train services will continue to operate as normal.
"The Department would encourage people to work from home where possible or to consider other sustainable travel methods, including walking, cycling and car sharing. The bus lanes will remain open for cyclists, permitted taxis and operating buses."
GMB regional organiser Peter Macklin said: "Translink bus workers have once again shown their anger and frustration with the company.
"They were proud to carry out their duty during the pandemic, despite potentially putting themselves and their families lives at risk.
"Now they need some help to tackle the crushing cost-of-living crisis they face, but bosses aren’t listening.
"The dispute, which affects bus drivers, cleaners and shunters, will close the entire bus network within Northern Ireland. It will be a complete shutdown."
General Secretary Sharon Graham of Unite said: "Unite bus drivers in Translink and Ulsterbus have increasing bills to pay like everyone else.
"The employers have to grasp that with inflation reaching levels unprecedented in a generation, these workers deserve pay that protects them from the living costs crisis and they have Unite’s full support as they take strike action."
The strike action will involve members of both Unite the union and the GMB whose members also rejected the latest pay offer.
A Translink spokesman said: “We are disappointed to learn that Unite and GMB bus driver trade unions, by a relatively slim margin, have voted to take unprecedented industrial action from Tuesday May 17 to May 23.
"Following extensive negotiations, we made a further substantial offer for 2021, including an enhanced package of conditions, that we believe is fair and reasonable.
"At this stage, having exhausted all options, we will start to take the difficult decisions in preparing for the impact of the strike action.
"However, we remain committed to working with the unions to avert this action.
"We would welcome the opportunity to engage with unions to cover school duties, so that the wellbeing of schoolchildren can remain a priority, particularly as many enter the exam period.
"All train services will continue to operate as normal. Translink apologises for any inconvenience this may cause."
Read more: Galliagh Community Centre works are completed as council release statement on opening
Read more: Northern Ireland council's knife amnesty plan delayed due to "manufacturing issues"
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
