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Bus drivers begin strike action in Bristol
Hundreds of bus drivers in Bristol are striking until Friday over a pay dispute.
More than 600 drivers at Hengrove and Lawrence Hill depots have joined the strike which will affect dozens of bus services across the city.
On Tuesday morning, drivers stood outside the Lawrence Hill depot, blowing whistles and holding placards with the words ‘put bus drivers not shareholders first’, ‘stop the greed’ and ‘back Bristol’s bus drivers, blame our bosses’.
is needed now More than ever
A perfect opportunity to say cheers to your striking drive today. Drivers across Bristol are on strike until Friday in a dispute over pay. pic.twitter.com/30JvPMWhFE
— Martin Booth (@beardedjourno) September 16, 2025
They chanted: “What do we want? Fair pay! When do we want it? Now!”
Earlier in September, drivers had rejected what the Unite union called an “unsatisfactory” pay offer but First say their offer was a “full and final” one.
The proposed two-year deal, if accepted, would mean the hourly pay for drivers would be increased by £1 until March 2026, followed by a lower 30p hourly increase from April 2026.
Bus drivers in Bristol are on strike from Tuesday to Friday – photo: Martin Booth
In a statement, First Bus managing director for the West of England, Doug Claringbold, said: “We are pleased to hear that our Badgerline colleagues have voted to accept our full and final pay offer, which has resulted in them calling off their planned strikes and helped reduce disruption to customers.
“However, we are disappointed to be told that our Citylines colleagues have rejected the pay offer, and therefore their planned strikes for four days from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th September inclusive will go ahead…
“While this was our full and final pay offer, we still hope to find a solution with the trade union which encourages them to call off these disruptive strikes.”
The full metrobus network will continue to operate during the strike as well as services between Thornbury and Bristol and Yate and Bristol; but reduced levels will operate on all other Bristol services.
Visit www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west for the latest information.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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