Over 300 bus drivers operating on seven routes are preparing to strike at an east London bus depot due to concerns that fatigue could compromise safety, according to their union.
The members of Unite will walk out at the Bow bus garage, managed by Stagecoach’s East London Bus & Coach Company, on Fridays, specifically on April 17, April 24, and May 15.
Unite has expressed that drivers are not receiving „adequate breaks,“ are being assigned extra weekend shifts, and lack sufficient time between shifts to recover. The union has reported incidents of „near misses“ attributed to fatigue.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach stated that „schedules, driver duties, and rotas are compiled strictly within the law“ and are designed with safety in mind, asserting that they remain „comfortably within agreed“ limits, even with recent route adjustments.
Impacted Routes and Expected Service Disruptions
The bus routes affected include the 8, N8, 25, N25, 425, 205, and N205, which operate from the Bow bus garage to central London and the Westfield Stratford City shopping center.
Transport for London (TfL) indicated that the 25 and 425 routes are anticipated to maintain a near-normal service for most of the day, while other impacted routes are likely to experience significant delays and possible cancellations.
This strike action follows previous industrial action that took place in March.
Health and Safety Concerns Raised by Drivers
Unite has highlighted that meal breaks are not being scheduled at the depot, forcing many drivers to take breaks on the roadside instead of in a proper rest area.
„Drivers are concerned about their health and safety, as well as that of passengers and pedestrians, having reported ’near misses‘ attributed to fatigue,“ said a union representative.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham described the situation as „appalling, not just for workers but for the general public.“ She emphasized that Stagecoach must take the drivers‘ concerns seriously and act promptly. „Drivers at Bow bus garage have Unite’s complete support during this dispute,“ she added.
In response, Stagecoach’s spokesperson mentioned that the company has been engaged in „detailed discussions“ with Unite at Bow for several months and is willing to continue these talks to address the concerns raised.
„There is no reason for any driver to work fatigued, as they are encouraged to report if they feel unsafe to drive before and during their duties, without facing financial penalties,“ the spokesperson stated.
Stagecoach has implemented a fatigue policy, reiterating that safety remains a priority.
A TfL spokesperson advised passengers to plan their journeys in advance, allowing extra time for travel and checking for updates before heading out. They expressed hope that both parties would reach a resolution to the ongoing dispute and apologized for any inconvenience caused to commuters.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Wolfgang Weiser auf Unsplash
