The Transport Federation said this evening that it strongly condemned all violence and intimidation directed against its members.

It also expressed sympathy with the public affected by its industrial action, but, it said, everyone understood that in a democratic society, everyone had a right to protest when his livelihood was threatened.

Referring to "threats" being made by the ADT against its members - such as the termination of the Park and Ride contract and the withdrawal of the government subsidy on insurance, the federation said this was not a good augury for the two sides to hold talks on a solution.

The federation said it was appealing to the government and the opposition to agree on the withdrawal of newly issued permits and also withdraw the threat of liberalisation of the public transport sector. It also called for talks on a reform of the sector for the benefit of the public, the operators and their families.

The federation thanked its members and non-affiliated organisations for having made its strike a success.