Fresh bus strike hits 58 routes

Bus drivers' picket line in east London during the 9 November strike

Full list of bus routes affected

Thousands of commuters are being affected by a 48-hour strike on 58 bus routes across east London and the City.

Members of the Unite union will strike until 0300 GMT on Sunday in protest at the freezing of drivers' wages.

The union said it would do "what is necessary to secure the decent increases that our members seek".

An East London Bus Group spokesman said most of its drivers were "amongst the highest paid in London". The action follows a 24-hour strike on 9 November.

'Cannot tolerate'

Day and night services covering Barking, Bow, Leyton, Romford, Upton Park and West Ham are affected.

The union counts 2,400 of the company's 2,600 workers as its members.

Unite regional secretary Steve Hart said: "We cannot tolerate pay freezes for these low-paid workers. Our preference is always for negotiation but we take strike action where necessary.

We feel that these (pay) rates are fair and reasonable and remain above the market average for bus drivers in London

East London Bus Group chief executive officer Nigel Barrett

"Our negotiators and shop stewards have gone the extra mile to reach agreements but across London many public transport employers are refusing to realistically negotiate."

East London Bus Group chief executive officer Nigel Barrett said it was "disappointed" at the union's action.

Mr Barrett said: "The majority of our drivers are still amongst the highest paid in London with basic pay ranging from £28,121 to £31,317 per annum depending on length of service, with drivers on articulated route 25 earning £35,362 per annum."

He added: "We feel that these rates are fair and reasonable and remain above the market average for bus drivers in London."