London bus strike: Which routes are affected and why are drivers taking action?
|
Version 0 of 1. Millions of commuters in London face travel chaos today, as some 27,000 bus drivers are staging a strike across the capital. But why are they striking, and which bus routes are cancelled? Who is involved? The 27,000 workers are members of the Unite union at 18 companies across Greater London. Why are they taking action? The members hope their action will persuade Transport for London to offer a single agreement covering pay and conditions. The Unite union has pointed out that while Tube drivers benefit from a collective pay deal, their colleagues on the buses are forced to negotiate on a company by company basis. In turn, there are more than 80 different pay rates covering drivers doing the same job, leading to differences in hourly rates of over £3. How will I be affected? TfL said the strike will affect services from around 4am this morning and hit night bus services operating tonight into Wednesday morning. The body has stressed there are contingency plans in place for commuters, with Bus & Tram Pass season tickets accepted on the Tube, DLR and London Overground services. However, there are many services commuters with bus passes will still be unable to use. These include the MBNA Thames Clipper RB1 River Bus service (between 6am to 10am and 4.30pm to 7.30pm), and National Rail services or the Emirates Air Line will not accept bus passes. One day bus and tram passes will also not be accepted on alternative services and refunds will not be given. Bus services are expected to return to normal on Wednesday. Are commuters irritated by the industrial action? Actually, most passengers agree that bus drivers deserve to be paid the same rate. A poll of 1,600 bus passengers for Unite showed that two thirds backed the bus drivers' campaign. Which bus routes will be hit? Eighteen bus companies across London will be affected by the pay strike. TfL confirmed that Abellio, Arriva, CT Plus, Go Ahead, London Sovereign, London United, Metroline, Stagecoach and Tower Transit would all be affected. Although it has not confirmed route numbers that will definitely be affected, Tfl has given a list of bus routes which are not affected and will be running a normal service. These are: 66 - Romford Station to Leytonstone bus station 142 - Watford Junction to Brent Cross Shopping Centre 160 - Catford to Sidcup Station 258 - Watford Junction to South Harrow Station 268 - Golders Green Station to Finchley Road 288 - Queensbury to Broadfields Estate 298 - Arnos Grove to Potters Bar 303 - Edgware Station to Colindale 305 - Edgware Station to Kingsbury Circle 340 - Edgware Station to Harrow Bus Station 346 - Upminster Station to Upminster Park Estate 370 - Romford to Lakeside Shopping Centre 375 - Romford Station to Passingford Bridge 404 - Coulsdon to Caterham-on-the-Hill 406 - Kingston to Epsom 411 - Kingston to West Molsey 418 - Kingston to Epsom 428 - Erith to Bluewater Shopping Centre 463 - Coulsdon South Station to Pollards Hill 465 - Kingston to Dorking 467 - Hook to Epsom 470 - Colliers Wood Station to Epsom 492 - Sidcup Station to Bluewater Shopping Centre 499 - Gallows Corner to Heath Park Estate 626 - Finchley Central Station to Potters Bar 628 - Kingsbury to Southgate Station 631 - Golders Green Station to Henrietta Barnett School 641 - West Molesey to Teddington School 642 - West Hendon Broadway/Edgware Station to London Academy 653 - Muswell Hill Broadway to Kingsbury 683 - Friern Barnet to Kingsbury 688 - Southgate Station to Kingsbury B12 - Erith to Joydens Wood B13 - Bexleyheath Shopping Centre to New Eltham Station B15 - Bexleyheath Shopping Centre to Horn Park E10 - Northolt to Ealing Broadway Station H2 - Golders Green Station circular (via Hampstead Garden Suburb) H3 - Golders Green Station to East Finchley, Hilltop H18 - Harrow Bus Station circular (via Pinner & Wealdstone) H19 - Harrow Bus Station circular (via Wealdstone & Pinner) K5 - Ham to Morden Station S1 - Banstead to Lavender Fields S3 - Sutton Hospital to Malden Manor Station X26 - West Croydon to Heathrow Airport |