A BUS operator in Somerset has confirmed that its services will be affected by strike action tomorrow (Friday, October 21).
First Bus expects that its services in the county, which operate as The Buses of Somerset, will be “very limited” with “no guaranteed journeys”.
However, Taunton's Park & Ride service is expected to operate a full timetable.
The company also ‘hopes’ to run many of its school and college buses.
Available members of staff will most likely be deployed on the 21 and 22 services in Taunton and the 51 in Yeovil.
Members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are striking over pay and conditions.
Tomorrow is the second of four days of planned strike action by RMT members working on buses in Somerset and Cornwall.
The first day was on Monday, October 10, and more action is expected on Friday, November 4 and Friday, November 11.
Ahead of the first day of strike action, First Bus said the RMT had “deemed that a package worth 17.4 per cent over the next 19 months” was “insufficient”.
When the strike dates were announced earlier this month, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members have no choice but to take strike action following an insulting and paltry pay offer.
“First Group is swimming in money and could easily pay bus workers a decent rise that goes some way to dealing with the escalating cost of living crisis.
“The public in Cornwall and Somerset who our members faithfully serve need a service that pays workers properly, so they do not leave the industry, creating chronic bus shortages.
“We are determined to win for our members, and we urge First Group to come to a negotiated settlement with RMT.”
Today, First Bus confirmed that union members will go ahead with tomorrow's planned strike action.
Please be aware that due to industrial action taking place tomorrow (21st Oct), bus services will be significantly disrupted.
— Travel Somerset (@TravelSomerset) October 20, 2022
A full list of the affected routes can be found here: https://t.co/Wg3ZoLbc8h pic.twitter.com/MpQK51LEXB
A spokesperson said: “RMT has advised us that that their members will continue with their planned second 24-hour strike action this coming Friday, October 21, 2022.
“As such, we regret that the travelling public will be without many Buses of Somerset and Cornwall by Kernow services.
“We would like to apologise sincerely to all our customers for the inconvenience this will cause. We are doing everything possible to operate what services we can.
“However, there is likely to be a very limited-service operating, with no guaranteed journeys. We advise our customers to seek alternatives where possible.
“In Somerset, we expect Taunton Park & Ride to be the only registered bus services to operate a full timetable.
“Many of the private school and college buses we operate we hope will run.
“We plan for any available staff to be deployed on the 21 and 22 Taunton services, and the 51 in Yeovil.
“Unfortunately, no services are guaranteed, and the above is based on expected driver availability.
“We apologise sincerely to all our customers for the inconvenience this will cause. We are doing everything possible to operate what services we can.”
The company has asked bus users to check the its website and the Buses of Somerset Twitter feed (@busesofsomerset) before travelling.
Read more: Full list of disrupted Somerset buses during October 10 strike
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