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."

Image source, 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."

• 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

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."

Image source, 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."

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."

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.

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

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.

Image source, Submitted

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

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., external

Image source, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

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.

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, external.

Image source, Google

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol

"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."

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol

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."

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol

We want to hear from you.

Has the strike affected your commute this morning? Are you walking, cycling, or working from home? Get in touch to tell us how you're faring with the disruption.

Send us a WhatsApp message and picture here, external - remember to include your name.

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol

The industrial action follows pay negotiations between First Bus and the Unite union.

Unite says drivers have faced below-inflation pay rises for the past three years and are now calling for a fair and sustainable wage agreement.

The union claims the company has put "profits over people", and "can afford to come back with an improved offer".

First Bus says it is "disappointed" by the walkout, external, and insisted the latest offer on the table is the "full and final" figure.

Negotiations are ongoing but no resolution has been reached yet.

Badgerline bus services, which cover the areas around the city, will operate as normal after drivers on those routes accepted the pay offer.

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol

Around 600 First West of England drivers - who operate Cityline buses out of Bristol's Lawrence Hill and Hengrove depots are on strike from 0700 this morning until Friday night.

These depots serve inner-city bus routes as well as Bristol Airport and the local universities.

All services in Bath and North East Somerset, Wells, Weston-super-Mare and the wider North Somerset area will still operate and are not impacted by the strikes.

Transport officials are advising passengers to check routes before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys.

First Bus is updating its website, external with the latest information on each service.

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol

Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of the industrial action taking place in Bristol this week.

We'll be bringing you the latest updates as bus services across the city are disrupted in a row over pay.

Expect delays, route changes and reduced services on all affected routes. We'll be also be hearing from those directly impacted by the walkout.