THE Island’s bus service returned to normal yesterday afternoon after an unannounced strike by drivers came to an end.
Services resumed at 4 pm and operator Connex said that 95 per cent of its services ran as normal, with some limited disruption in the evening, and that all services would be back to full strength today. The action by Unite members, which has been described by Connex as illegal, was connected to the suspension of a colleague and the procedures surrounding it.
No conclusions have been reached, but discussions between Connex and the union will continue with the help of Transport chief officer John Richardson and the company is confident that this will be done without the need for further industrial action. ‘I am happy to see that we have reason back in the minds of our drivers,’ said Connex managing director Eric Le Roux.
‘I was really devastated to learn about the strike because it affected so many people who are trusting and relying on our daily bus service. We are very sorry about any inconvenience caused to the public.’
News of the strike, which began at 9 am yesterday without warning, was slow to filter through to the public and many Islanders found themselves stuck at bus stops or in town with their only option to call a friend or relative for a lift or take a taxi. The school bus service was unaffected.
• Taxis picked up some of the stranded passengers. Others phoned family and friends for lifts. Picture by Rob Currie (00611736).
