Crisis talks fail to put buses on roads

Bus chiefs remain at loggerheads with drivers, and despite crisis talks there is no real sign of a solution on the horizon.

Hundreds of drivers, angry over the number of hours worked behind the wheel without a break, will man picket lines today during the second strike since the New Year.

And unless a deal can be thrashed out in the coming weeks, two more days of strike action look set for January 16 and 21.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union said the dispute centred on a demand that shifts should not involve more then four-and-a-half hours' continuous driving.

RMT regional organiser Phil Bialyk told the Echo yesterday: "The strike is still on as there has been no real change in circumstances.

"We have been in talks with management over the weekend and although these talks were quite amicable, no satisfactory conclusion has been reached."

Today's action, forcing a skeleton hourly and half-hourly service within the Bournemouth conurbation, is likely to hit commuters hard as they return to work in earnest following the holiday period.

And many children who rely on public buses, particularly in rural Dorset, could miss out on school. But Barry Thirlwall, Dorset County Council's passenger transport manager, said dedicated school bus services would be operating normally.

Wilts & Dorset managing director Alex Carter said: "We have kept a strong dialogue going but we are still not in the position where an agreement can be reached.

"Obviously, I would like to see these additional strike days cancelled so we can all get around the table, with everyone being in a stronger position, without the threat of strike action hanging over negotiations.

"The important thing is we are still talking and although no resolution has been reached, I am sure there will be in time."

Mr Bialyk said: "We do not want to be in this position and we will be in talks before the next days of action.

"Hopefully these remaining strike days can be averted."