About 2,500 bus drivers in London have begun a 24-hour strike, which will affect 80 routes, in a row over pay.
About 2,500 bus drivers in London have begun a 24-hour strike, which will affect 80 routes, in a row over pay.
The employees of First began the strike at 0300 BST on Friday, a move expected to mainly affect bus routes in the east and west of the city.
The employees of First began the strike at 0300 BST on Friday, a move expected to mainly affect bus routes in the east and west of the city.
Members of the union Unite want a standard £30,000 rate of pay for drivers across the bus network.
Members of the union Unite want a standard £30,000 rate of pay for drivers across the bus network.
A First spokesman said its pay offer was "reasonable" and the action would affect 14% of London's bus network.
A First spokesman said its pay offer was "reasonable" and the action would affect 14% of London's bus network.
Union members decided to go on strike after rejecting a 4% pay increase deal on Wednesday.
Union members decided to go on strike after rejecting a 4% pay increase deal on Wednesday.
Routes affected
Routes affected
Unite said pay disparity between London's 18 different bus operators could be as much as £6,000. Sick pay, pensions and holiday arrangements also differed, it added.
Unite said pay disparity between London's 18 different bus operators could be as much as £6,000. Sick pay, pensions and holiday arrangements also differed, it added.
It wants all of London's 28,000 bus drivers to be paid £30,000 a year, based on a 38-hour week.
It wants all of London's 28,000 bus drivers to be paid £30,000 a year, based on a 38-hour week.
The industrial action will include drivers who work for First Capital East and Centrewest London Buses, which operate under First.
The industrial action will include drivers who work for First Capital East and Centrewest London Buses, which operate under First.
Unite members plan a further 48-hour walkout on 12 September.
Unite members plan a further 48-hour walkout on 12 September.
Transport for London said it was trying to keep the disruption from the strike to a minimum and urged to check before they travel.
Transport for London said it was trying to keep the disruption from the strike to a minimum and urged to check before they travel.
"Where possible, we would advise passengers to use alternative means of transport."
"Where possible, we would advise passengers to use alternative means of transport."
The routes affected in east London are 58, 67, 91, 150, 165, 179, 191, 193, 212, 215, 231, 236, 252, 259, 299, 308, 309, 323, 339, 341, 357, 365, 385, 389, 399, 476, 488, 498, D6, D7, D8, RV1, W6, W10, W11, W12.
The routes affected in east London are 58, 67, 91, 150, 165, 179, 191, 193, 212, 215, 231, 236, 252, 259, 299, 308, 309, 323, 339, 341, 357, 365, 385, 389, 399, 476, 488, 498, D6, D7, D8, RV1, W6, W10, W11, W12.
The routes affected in west London are 9 (heritage service only), 10, 18, 23, 28, 31, 79, 83, 92, 95, 105, 187, 207, 223, 224, 226, 228, 245, 282, 295, 328, 331, 414, 427, 487, 607, A10, E1, E3, E5, E7, E9, E10, PR2, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U10.
The routes affected in west London are 9 (heritage service only), 10, 18, 23, 28, 31, 79, 83, 92, 95, 105, 187, 207, 223, 224, 226, 228, 245, 282, 295, 328, 331, 414, 427, 487, 607, A10, E1, E3, E5, E7, E9, E10, PR2, U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U10.
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