Bus drivers' strike across Essex today (From Thurrock Gazette)

Bus drivers' strike across Essex today

8:06am Monday 12th October 2009

BUS services are facing disruption across Essex as drivers strike in a row over pay.

First Bus services around the county are affected.

Bosses say it is a result of bus drivers' refusal to accept a pay freeze this year.

In an effort to minimise the disruption as much as possible, First East England aims to operate as many services as possible. In recognition of the disruption caused to passengers no fares will be charged today, with the exception of Chelmsford Park and Ride.

Drivers are angry with First Essex Buses for not agreeing to their request for a “substantial” pay rise and over 76 per cent voted to strike in a ballot organised by the Unite trade union.

Annual profits for First have gone up from about £250,000 to £9million in recent years, and shareholders have been paid 10 per cent dividends for the past three years.

Drivers feel their pay rises over this period have not reflected the profits.

Managing director of bus operator First in Essex, Alan Pilbeam said: "This strike action is completely unnecessary and I am sorry that our passengers will be affected in this way. All we are asking is that our drivers continue to work for the same hourly rate as they did last year. That is a fair and reasonable offer in the current economic climate where thousands of jobs are being lost each day. "We will endeavour to operate whatever services we can during this strike action, in order to avoid inconvenience to the lives of tens of thousands of our passengers and severe disruption to businesses in the region. However, in recognition of the services that will be affected, free travel will be provided on those services we operate. "We are working hard to do all we can to bring this dispute to an end and we remain committed to finding a realistic way forward and we would urge the union to do the same.'

In an effort to minimise the disruption as much as possible, First East England aims to operate as many services as possible. The following services will operate: Service 70

0725 Braintree to Colchester

Service 70X

0730 Braintree to ColchesterColchester Town Services 63/64/65/66: Services will operate at a reduced frequency

Chelmsford Town Services 40/41/45/50/51/54/56: will operate to a very limited frequency

Service 11 - Highwoods to Colchester Station will operate as normal

Service 15 - Shrub End to Colchester Station will operate as normal

Service 16A - Barnhall to St Helena School will operate as normal

Service 67 - West Mersea to Colchester will operate as normal

Service 75: Maldon to Colchester will operate as normal

Service 73: Brentwood Town Service will operate an hourly service

Service 21/26/27/28 - Canvey Leigh Beck to Benfleet Station These will operate as a shuttle between both points

Service 20 - Hullbridge to Rayleigh Station will operate as a shuttle between both points

Service 15 - Southend to Tesco/RBS Call Centre at Thanet Grange will operate every 20 minutes

Service 3/4 - Clacton to Harwich will operate as normal

Service 20/20A/22A/22B - Harwich Circulars will operate as normal

CHELMSFORD PARK & RIDE WILL OPERATE AS NORMAL

All Chelmsford Park & Ride services will operate.

Passengers should note that tickets can be purchased from the on-site ticket machines only and will not be available to purchase on bus.

First staff will be present on the day to assist passengers.

YELLOW SCHOOL BUSES WILL OPERATE:

507 Woodham Ferres to Chelmsford

508 Great Dunmow to Colchester

520 Chelmsford to Colchester

525 Chelmsford to Colchester

618 Loughton to Anglo European School

619 Debden to Anglo European School

620 Shenfield to Southend

509 Braintree to Colchester

511 Billericay to Southend

512 Chelmsford to Southend

561 Basildon to Chelmsford

562 Billericay to Chelmsford

820 Lower Hockley to Sweyne Park School(operated by Stephensons of Essex)

821 Southchurch to Thundersley

822 Canvey to Bournes Green

825 Basildon to Southend

C25 Shenfield to Upminster30A Manningtree School