Bus driver strikes sent Southwark commuters’ heads spinning today, with key South London routes seeing severe disruption.
Arriva bus drivers from the Norwood, Brixton, Croydon and Thornton Heath garages didn’t clock in this morning due to a dispute over pay.
TFL said that as many as 37 routes have been affected. More strikes are planned for Monday May 16 and Tuesday May 17.
The strikes coincided with rainfall across much of London, leaving some travellers stranded in the downpour.
Twitter user Ainatdarling wrote, “Cancelled trains, bus strike and now the rain? My day couldn’t be more inconvenient yet I’m surprisingly calm”, while Laurensyl tweeted, “This Arriva bus strike is ruining my day.”
Affected routes included the 133 from Streatham to Liverpool Street, the 468 from Elephant and Castle to South Croydon and the 333 from Mitcham Road to Elephant and Castle.
The drivers are striking because they are unhappy with the 3 per cent pay rise their employer Arriva offered in April.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This pay offer is simply unacceptable. Arriva’s drivers are being pummelled by a double-whammy of reduced earnings and rising living costs. Arriva must think again and pay its drivers a fair wage.
“Our members at Arriva will be receiving Unite’s complete support until this dispute is resolved and the bus drivers receive an offer which meets their expectations.”
With UK inflation rising at 7 per cent, its fastest for 30 years, drivers fear that a 3 per cent rise would be a cut in real terms, leaving them poorer in the long-run.
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Some have expressed solidarity with the strikers. Sadie Robinson tweeted: “Solidarity with Arriva bus drivers on strike today in South London over pay. Great mood on the Brixton picket line and loads of support for them.”
Other were less sympathetic. Twitter user OriginalNEEK said: “Bus strikes take the p*ss because why am I not getting paid so that you can get paid??”
TFL advised commuters to use alternative travel routes and refer to their Journey Planner or TFL Go mobile application.
Arriva has been approached for comment.
Here is the full list of affected bus routes:
2: Marylebone – West Norwood
50: Park Lane – Stockwell Station
60: Streatham – Old Coulsdon
64: Thornton Heath Pond – New Addington (Vulcan Way)
133: Streatham – Liverpool Street
137: Marble Arch – Streatham Hill
157: Morden – Crystal Palace
166: Croydon – Epsom General Hospital
194: Croydon – Lower Sydenham
198: Thornton Heath – Shrublands
202: Blackheath – Crystal Palace
249: Anerley – Clapham Common
250: Brixton-Croydon
255: Balham-Pollards Hill
264: Tooting (St George’s)-Croydon
289: Elmers End-Purley
312: Norwood Junction-South Croydon
319: Telford Avenue-Sloane Square
333: Mitcham Road- Elephant & Castle
405: Croydon-Redhill
410: Wallington-Crystal Palace
412: West Croydon-Purley
417: Clapham Common-Crystal Palace
432: Brixton Road- Jasmine Grove
450: Lower Sydenham-Croydon
466: Addington Village-Caterham-on-the-Hill
468: Elephant and Castle (Borough Road)- South Croydon
612: Selsdon Library-Wallington Grammar
627: Worcester Park-Wallington High
645: Waddon-Purley Cross
685: Hamsey Green-Selsdon
689: Croydon-Orchard Park High School
N2: Marylebone-Crystal Palace
627: Worcester Park-Wallington High
645: Waddon-Purley Cross
685: Hamsey Green-Selsdon
689: Croydon-Orchard Park High School
N2: Marylebone-Crystal Palace