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Regional | Transport

Auckland traffic at a standstill as bus drivers take strike

Traffic is at a standstill in Auckland after more than 1000 go on strike today as part of industrial action.

The strikes have impacted on tens of thousands of commuters in the city.

Bus drivers are in disputes over what they believe are long working hours set by the New Zealand Transport Agency.

NZ Bus has made an offer of a 1.7% increase in pay, taking wages up to $20.75 an hour, the union wants $21.

Drivers employed by NZ Bus went on strike this morning from 4am and will not return to work until 4am on Saturday.

Some drivers employed by Howick and Eastern walked off the job today at 5:30am.

Several other services are inactive today, including Metrolink, Go West, North Star, Waka Pacific, CityLink, InnerLink, OuterLink, Howick and Eastern and school buses operated by NZ Bus.

Auckland Transport’s Bus Services Manager, Brendon Main, advised commuters to “consider options such as travelling outside peak times, sharing rides, cycling or walking. People should also talk to their employer about their work situation on.”

Main says Auckland Transport staff will be on duty at some busy locations to assist customers with information and advice.