Auckland bus services still disrupted as reduced drivers' strike continues

CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF

Auckland bus commuters will be affected by 34 bus services cancelled on Thursday (file photo).

Some Auckland bus drivers have called off their strike action planned for Thursday and Friday, but reduced industrial action will still continue.

Drivers working for NZ Bus who had intended to strike as part of ongoing industrial action will return to work but 60 Pavlovich Coachlines drivers will stick to their strike plans for Thursday, Auckland Transport said.

Thirty four bus routes driven by Pavlovich will be cancelled on Thursday morning as a result of a two-hour strike by the firm's drivers.

On Wednesday afternoon Auckland Transport (AT) said disruption to the city's transport network would be minimal with "less than 1 per cent" of bus trips affected by the strike.

First Union organiser Graham McKean said bus drivers were pushing for fairer pay and work conditions.

"We've cancelled industrial action for Thursday and Friday as a gesture of good faith following facilitation between us and NZ Bus."

McKean said a rolling, "depot-by-depot" bus strike will still run until April 27.

A complete list of the cancelled services can be found on the Auckland Transport website.

It was unfortunate commuters would be affected, but the strike was a last resort, McKean said.

"We don't like disrupting services, but we have been in lengthy negotiations with NZ Bus and we simply have no other option so are encouraging commuters to leave home early, or arrange alternative transport."

AT said train and ferry services were not affected by the strike.