Summary

Live Reporting

  1. “I’ve wasted four hours on a 10 minute journey"

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Elo Omyejepu spoke to the BBC while waiting at a bus stop in the city centre. Four agonising hours have passed for a journey that should have taken him 10 minutes.

    “I feel awful. I’m worn out, tired, not happy about it," he said. "It’s draining honestly, I haven’t seen it this way."

    Elo Omyejepu wearing a grey polo shirt underneath a navy fleece jacket. He has a bald head and a closely shaven beard, and is looking at the camera through squinted eyes. He is sitting on a bench at a bus stop in the city centre.

    His eyes are glued to the electronic screen as it glitches and reloads - promising a bus is just around the corner.

    "Endless waiting," he said. "You’re not sure if it's even coming. It tells you it’s turning up but it doesn’t.

    “It’s not fun at all but you don’t have an alternative, so you just have to wait."

  2. 'We deserve more'

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Bus driver Pawel Bialyszewski has worked for the company for more than 16 years.

    “People need to understand, our job is not easy," he told the BBC.

    Pawel Bialyszewski wearing rectangular glasses and a dark checked shirt underneath a yellow hi-vis vest. He has dark hair and is looking at the camera with a slight smile. In the background there are other First Bus colleagues protesting in front of the Lawrence Hill depot.

    “We’re working hard and the cost of living is killing us.

    "To earn proper money we need to do a lot of overtime to keep our lives and our families on a straight line."

    Mr Bialyszewski said he felt "proud" to be a part of First Bus, but believes their employees "deserve a bit more, to build a better life".

  3. Surge in scooter rentals

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    A blue-green Dott scooter and bike parked on the pavement in the foreground. In the background there is a blue number 2 bus driving along the road. There are lots of autumnal leaves on the ground and people walking past.

    A spokesperson for Dott, the transport company offering shared electric vehicles to rent, say the disruption has led to a surge in activity on their apps.

    "While it’s too early to share precise figures, we are already seeing an increase in people turning to our e-bikes and e-scooters this morning as they look for alternatives during the strike.

    "We're committed to providing a convenient and sustainable way for people to get to work and around the city.

    "Today's increased activity shows clearly that our service plays an essential part in keeping Bristol moving."

  4. Where's my bus? It's probably in the depot

    You might be wondering where your bus is.

    Our reporter Mike Gilmore has been out talking to workers. Many of the cancelled services are sitting in depots.

    This is the view in Hengrove where quite a few empty buses are lined up.

    Buses inside Hengrove depot.
    Another view of buses lined up in Hengrove depot

  5. 'It's not an easy job'

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Simon Hendon has been employed by First Bus for 27 years. He is one of the drivers in attendance at the picket line protest outside the Lawrence Hill bus depot.

    “I’m on strike because I don’t think I get paid enough," he told the BBC.

    “The ideal scenario would be to give us our back pay. We’d be on £17 an hour, with £17 an hour back pay.

    “We’ve been offered £16.50 back pay, but I feel we’ve already earnt that money. It’s 50p an hour for what we’ve already earnt."

    Simon Hendon wearing a yellow hi-vis vest, a fur lined jacket, round glasses and a black cap. He is standing at the picket line in front of the Lawrence Hill bus depot.

    Mr Hendon acknowledged large companies must make a profit, but feels it is substantial enough to "send some down the line".

    "We’re on the frontline and it’s not an easy job. You can see by the turnover how many drivers come and go," he explained.

    “We just want what we think we’re worth."

  6. There's buses ... but not as many as normal

    Looking at the live tracking on bustimes.org, you can see there are buses in the centre of Bristol - but not as many as a normal day.

    In the centre there's a 74 - one service impacted by the strike, meaning there are fewer of them and not running its full route to Bradley Stoke.

    There's also an M1 and M3 service there - the Metrobus is not affected - and a T1 ready to go to Thornbury.

    A map showing buses in the centre of Bristol

  7. 'Nightmare' school run

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Jordan has been waiting at a bus stop in the Hartcliffe area of the city since 08:40am and has seen no buses drive past."It's actually a nightmare for someone who is doing the school run during the week," they said.

    "It said the bus would arrive at 9.23, but it goes 9.30 and is the bus coming? Who knows.

    "They claim the 75 is every half hour... clearly it's not."

    A close up image showing an electronic timetable screen at a bus stop in Hartcliffe. It shows the number 75 is supposed to arrive in 33 minutes, then at 09:30, then 10:00.Submitted

    It seems elsewhere in Redfield, passengers are not trusting the timetables and have instead found alternative transport.

    Chris told the BBC: "Very quiet bus this morning on the number 44 bus. Top deck empty heading into Bristol city centre.

    "Loads more cars on the road, more than likely due to people being aware of strike action."

  8. What do we know so far?

    • More than 600 bus drivers working in Bristol have gone on strike over pay
    • First Bus and Unite have been in negotiations over pay with the union saying last-minute talks on Monday broke down
    • Unite say they have made an "affordable" offer over pay
    • First Bus says negotiations have been going on for six months and the strike action was "frustrating"
    • The firm's boss said his "door is always open"
    • The strike action has had a big impact on bus services in Bristol - which is due to last until Friday

  9. Ongoing negotiations

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Doug Claringbold, managing director of First Bus West of England, said negotiations with the trade union have been ongoing for the last six months.

    Planned industrial action from 4 to 8 September was suspended to allow union members to vote on a new pay offer after drivers previously rejected a two-year pay deal. But the latest offer was also turned down.

    “We put forward our best and final offer to get this over the line and we were hopeful we would," Mr Claringbold said.

    “We had recommended offers from the trade union, but unfortunately it’s been a very narrow vote.

    “54% didn’t want it, 46% did, so that means there is industrial action."

    Dough Claringbold wearing a black suit and dark blue tie and round glasses. He is standing in front of a bus stop in Bristol city centre. Behind him there are two buses queuing and several people waiting to board.First Bus

    Mr Claringbold described the dispute as "frustrating", emphasising his desire to reach a resolution.

    "I want to keep talking but the situation is this: we’ve asked them to cancel their strike action and they’ve said they won’t," he said.

    “My door is always open, we want to resolve this dispute and we will continue to make ourselves available to dialogue. It’s through dialogue that we can fix this."

  10. Commuters face delays

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Percy told the BBC he normally gets on a Number 1 bus, which takes him about 30 minutes to get to work."Because of the strikes today I’m on a Stagecoach bus which left at 07:25 and still hasn’t made it to the city centre!

    "Every first bus we’ve passed has been full, and the rest of the traffic is crazy. I’ve never seen so many taxis."

    A large queue of people waiting to board a number 1 bus.

    The strike action comes during a busy period for public transport, as children return to school and tens of thousands of university students descend on the city for their studies.

    Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports congestion is building on key routes like the M32 southbound, A4 Portway and the A370 from Long Ashton, as more people take to the roads.

    Tune into BBC Radio Bristol for live travel updates.

  11. Which services are reduced?

    1 - every 30 minutes

    2/2a - every 30 minutes

    3 - every 60 minutes

    5 - every 75 minutes

    7 - approx every hour

    8 - every 15 minutes

    24 - every 30 minutes

    36 - college-timed journeys only

    43 - every 30 minutes between the centre and Cadbury Heath only

    44 - every 30 minutes

    48x - hourly

    49x - 30 mins

    70 - every 30 mins

    73 - hourly

    74 - 30 mins but no service between Bristol Parkway and Bradley Stoke

    75/76 - every 30 mins

    A1 - Bristol airport flyer - every 30 mins

  12. Expensive alternatives

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Catherine, from Coombe Dingle, was forced to book a taxi this morning for the 20 minute commute to work at the top of Park Street.

    "Uber was so busy this morning and expensive but needed to get one to work," she said.

    "But I don't mind too much. Bus drivers deserve decent pay and put up with a lot. First Bus profits should not just go to the executives!"

    The company is part of First Group PLC. Last year, the group recorded an operating profit of £204.3m and share dividends were increased by 45%, compared to the previous year.

    The view from the backseat window of a black taxi. There is a yellow sticker on the window, indicating there is video surveillance inside the car. Outside there is a wooden fence and some trees. It is dawn and the sky is grey and slightly pink.Submitted

  13. Which services are not running at all today?

    We've been through the list of what isn't running. We'll have a list of reduced services shortly.

    What is not running:

    4 - Cribbs Causeway to bus station

    6 - Kingswood to City Centre

    25 - Fishponds to City Centre

    41 - Avonmouth, City Centre, Kingswood

    50 - Stapleton, Easton, Frenchay to City Centre

    72 - Temple Meads to UWE Frenchay

    77 - Henleaze to City Centre

    515 (evening) - Stockwood, Hengrove, Whitchurch

  14. Shuttle buses transport hospital staff

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust has advised its patients there will be no free shuttle bus service running during the industrial action.

    "This is so the buses can be used to support our colleagues in getting to work from the areas with highest demand. We apologise for any inconvenience," a spokesperson said.

    For the latest information on travelling to the trust's hospital sites, visit their website.

    A blue branded University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. It is wrapped in blue branded graphics.University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

    The free hospital shuttle bus will be used to transport colleagues to and from work during the strikes

    As a reminder, services in Bath and North East Somerset, Wells, Weston-super-Mare and the wider North Somerset area will continue to operate and are not impacted by industrial action.

    The full Metrobus network will also operate, along with buses between Thornbury and Bristol and Yate and Bristol.

  15. It's getting a bit slower on the roads

    Chris Kelly
    Digital Editor, BBC West

    Here's the traffic from Google Maps from 8.10am and you can see there's a significant amount of red - denoting slow traffic - there now.

    If it's safe to do message us, we'd like to hear you experience commuting today. WhatsApp us by tapping here.

    A map of Bristol showing traffic levelsGoogle

  16. Reliable transport a 'necessity'

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Millie, who lives in St Andrews near central Bristol, told the BBC that access to reliable transport ought to be recognised as a "fundamental necessity".

    "Countless people depend on public transport for essential aspects of daily life, from commuting to work to carrying out ordinary tasks," she said.

    "When access to such services is restricted or unreliable, the ability to work and participate fully in society is directly undermined.

    A blurry image of a red bus driving past the camera on a bright sunny day. The shutter speed has been adjusted to make it look like the bus is driving past quickly.

    "At its core, this issue reflects systemic inequalities rooted in class and privilege. The option to purchase a new car or to drive is not universally available, and assuming otherwise overlooks the reality faced by many.

    "For those constrained by financial limitations, reliance on public transport can generate significant anxiety, as one’s independence and opportunities become contingent upon a system that is not always dependable."

  17. No buses on journey in

    Chris Kelly
    Digital Editor, BBC West

    On my drive into the BBC from South Gloucestershire I only saw three buses.

    The first was an M1, then two Stagecoach services - the 71 and 505. The Metrobus routes and not affected by strike action and neither is Stagecoach.

    Otherwise on a drive in where I often see dozens of buses - there were no others.

    Most of the bus stops were empty bar a few confused looking would-be passengers stood on Southmead Road. That stop didn't have an electronic signs so you have to hope they've realised why they might be in for a long wait.

  18. 'Misleading timetables'

    "The First Bus App is incorrectly showing buses running when they are not," Kris told the BBC.

    "I had to walk from Kingswood to Bristol Temple Meads train station as the 05:15 no 43 bus did not show up even though the app stated it would.

    "Bus services are already not running on time and communication is poor."

  19. 'We don't want to be here'

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    Ken Fish wearing a blue shirt underneath a black jacket and an orange hi-vis vest. He is standing in front of large Unite flags and banners at the picket line.

    "We’re talking about professional drivers and it’s not that long ago that they were being described as key workers. They carry out a valuable function," Mr Fish added.

    "I do want to take the opportunity to apologise to the customers of First Bus. We don't want to be where we are."

  20. Picket line protestors

    Bea Swallow
    BBC News, Bristol

    A large group of bus drivers standing beside the road wearing yellow hi-vis vests and holding up red flags and placards in protest. One says 'put drivers, not shareholders first'.

    Outside Lawrence Hill depot, a group of bus drivers have gathered to demand fair pay.

    Ken Fish, regional officer for Unite, told BBC Radio Bristol: “Yesterday, the union went into that meeting with the hope and belief that an offer was going to be tabled that was reasonable.

    "Unfortunately, discussions broke down. What we’re keen to do is meet with the employer and find a remedy.

    "We don’t believe we’re far away. Certainly, the pay proposal we have is affordable."