Bus drivers to strike again at east London depot

More than 300 bus drivers on seven routes are set to walk out at an east London bus depot again over fears fatigue problems could affect safety, their union has warned.

The Unite members at the Bow bus garage run by Stagecoach's East London Bus & Coach Company are going on strike on three Fridays - 17 April, 24 April and 15 May.

Unite said drivers did not have "adequate breaks", had extra weekend working and had insufficient time between shifts to recuperate, with "near misses" reported.

A Stagecoach spokesperson said "schedules, driver duties and rotas are compiled strictly within the law" with safety in mind and remained "comfortably within agreed" limits, despite recent changes to routes.

The 8, N8, 25, N25, 425, 205 and N205 which operate from Bow bus garage and go to central London and Westfield Stratford City shopping centre will be affected.

Transport for London (TfL) said the 25 and 425 were expected to run a near normal service for most of the day and other affected routes were likely "to be severely delayed and subject to cancellations".

The move follows industrial action in March.

Unite said "meal breaks are not being scheduled at the depot with many workers taking these on the side of the road" rather than at "an adequate rest area".

It said drivers were concerned about their health and safety, as well as that of passengers and pedestrians, and had reported having "near misses" they blamed on fatigue.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "The situation is appalling, not just for workers but the general public.

"Stagecoach needs to take drivers' concerns seriously and act immediately. Drivers at Bow bus garage have Unite's complete support during this dispute."

Stagecoach's spokesperson said it had been holding "detailed discussions" with Unite at Bow for "many months" and was open to continuing them to resolve concerns.

They said: "There is no reason for any driver to work fatigued as they are encouraged to say if they are not safe to drive before and during all duties and are not financially penalised if they do so."

Stagecoach had a fatigue policy and safety "remains our policy," they added.

A TfL spokesperson urged passengers to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel.

They added: "We encourage both parties to find a solution to this dispute and we're sorry for any disruption to people's journeys."

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