Bus services across Cardiff and the Vale could face major disruption from Monday 1st September, as hundreds of drivers prepare to strike over pay and working conditions.
Unite the union has confirmed that 450 Cardiff Bus workers are scheduled to walk out, with further action threatened if ongoing ballots reject proposed deals. The strikes form part of a wider national wave, with over 7,500 drivers either striking or voting to do so in towns and cities including Bristol, Swindon, Manchester and Newcastle.
Cardiff Bus has acknowledged the potential for disruption, confirming that services may be affected for up to three and a half weeks depending on the outcome of the ballot, which is due by Friday 29th August. The company says it is preparing contingency plans and will update passengers via its website, app and social media channels.
Craig Hampton-Stone, Managing Director of Cardiff Bus, said:
“We hope it does not come to this and that the ballot result is acceptance of the revised pay offer. However, we have to act responsibly, both for our customers and our staff, by preparing for all scenarios. We remain committed to resolving this dispute and have put forward a new pay deal which led to the postponement of the previous strike and commencement of the subsequent ballot. Our focus is on achieving a fair resolution that avoids unnecessary disruption.”
In South Wales, the impact could be significant. Cardiff Bus services connect key routes across the capital and into Penarth, Barry, and the Vale of Glamorgan areas heavily reliant on public transport for commuting, school runs and hospital access.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said bus drivers are facing unacceptable conditions, including long shifts, inadequate rest breaks, and rising incidents of abuse.
“Fatigue, a lack of toilets, abuse and even assaults are a daily occurrence,” she said. “Unite will fight tooth and nail for bus workers until wages and conditions improve across the sector.”
The union is also campaigning for better shift patterns and access to facilities, arguing that drivers are more likely to suffer mental and physical ill health than workers in other professions.
Locally, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on vulnerable passengers, especially those who rely on accessible services. Cardiff Bus says it will publish further details once the ballot result is confirmed, and is urging passengers to check for updates in the coming days.
Unite said strikes in Cardiff and Newcastle involving 600 workers will go ahead unless current ballots result in accepted offers. Since 2023, the union has been involved in 167 bus disputes across the UK, representing over 42,000 workers.
This latest escalation follows weeks of uncertainty, with earlier strike plans temporarily paused while Cardiff Bus entered renewed talks with Unite.
With negotiations ongoing, passengers across Cardiff and the Vale may soon face delays or be left waiting at the kerb.
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