HUNDREDS of London bus drivers will vote again on whether to continue going on strike after a new deal on pay and conditions was offered.

It comes after six separate days of strikes held through late February and March, over fears that drivers on routes in West London could lose more than £2,000 a year.

Drivers represented by the trade union Unite say this cut would result from changes French company RATP Group (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens) has proposed.

These include asking drivers to 'log in' when they sit behind the wheel of a bus and log out at the end of their shift.

This would mean drivers wouldn't be paid during their breaks or whilst waiting for their bus to become available before switching with another driver.

The changes were due to affect drivers employed by three bus operators owned by RATP – London United, London Sovereign and Quality Line – who employ a total of nearly 3,000 drivers.

Workers from the three operators were due to strike today (Wednesday, March 17) but the action was called off by Quality Line and London Sovereign drivers.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has learnt that this was because RATP has offered a new set of pay and terms, which will now be considered by Unite members.

It is understood that London Sovereign has been offered an improved pay rise and a lump sum, whereas Quality Line drivers have been offered only a lump sum.

The exact amounts have not been disclosed.

Drivers from London Sovereign and Quality Line will soon re-ballot on the new offer before deciding whether to accept or to strike again on Wednesday, March 24 and 31.

London United drivers have been offered no improvement and went ahead with their strike today.

Local routes affected

Ealing services have been hit as a result, including the 65 that runs from Ealing Broadway to Kingston, the 70 that runs from Chiswick to South Kensington via Acton, the 266 that runs from Hammersmith to Cricklewood via Acton and the 440 that runs from Chiswick to Wembley also via Acton.

The London United routes affected by strikes today include: 18, 33, 65, 70, 71, 72, 85, 94, 110, 111, 116, 148, 203, 216, 220, 223, 224, 265, 266, 281, 283, 371, 406, 411, 418, 419, 423, 440, 613, 662, 665, 671, 681, 696, 697, 465, N18, N33, N65, N266, C1, H22, H32, H37, H98, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5 and S3.

Quality Line bus routes that will no longer be affected by strikes today include: 293, 404, 413, 463, 467, 470, 633 and S1.

Unaffected London Sovereign routes include: 79, 142, 183, 251, 258, 288, 303, 326, 395, 398, 642, N5, H9, H10, H11, H12, H14, H17, H18 and H19.

Before the changes were announced, Geoff Hobbs, TfL's director of public transport service planning, said: "We will do everything possible to reduce the disruption if this strike action goes ahead, but customerswho need to travel should again check before they travel and allow more time for their journeys.

"We urge RATP and Unite the union to resolve the issue as soon as possible."

You can check the status of the bus you need on the TfL website HERE.