'It may be hard to win back passengers driven off buses by a strike'

IF INDUSTRIAL action drives bus passengers away, it could be hard to get them back, the Bus Users Group has warned after rumblings of a driver strike.

But Bug coordinator Fergus Dunlop said that since CT Plus took over from Island Coachways this month a lot more people were taking an interest in the service.

Last week, one driver said colleagues were prepared to take industrial action following a number of changes that had been implemented by the social enterprise operators.

These included reducing paid working hours, requiring employees to pay for parking and removing free internet from staff accommodation.

Mr Dunlop said it was too early and not enough was known about the situation to take a true standpoint on the issue.