500 Bus Drivers Set to Walk Out Over Pay
- News Room
- Sep 5, 2025
- 1 min read
Bus services across parts of Merseyside and Lancashire face major disruption later this month after around 500 Stagecoach drivers voted to take strike action in a row over pay.
Members of the Unite union based in Birkenhead, Chorley and Preston will walk out for seven days from 29 September, followed by a second week-long strike from 13 October.
The dispute centres on pay gaps between Stagecoach drivers and their counterparts at rival firms. Unite says drivers in Birkenhead earn £2.69 an hour less than Arriva staff in the same town, while Stagecoach drivers in Chorley and Preston are paid £2.13 an hour below their Birkenhead colleagues.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham argued the company can “absolutely afford” to resolve the dispute, pointing to Stagecoach’s latest accounts, which show operating profits rising to £51.1m last year. “Stagecoach drivers at Birkenhead, Chorley and Preston will receive Unite’s full support in taking strike action until that happens,” she said.
Regional officer Mike Woods added: “Stagecoach is entirely responsible for the disruption that will be caused. Industrial action can still be avoided, but that will require an acceptable offer.”
Stagecoach, however, said it had made “every effort” to put forward a fair deal while balancing the long-term sustainability of its services. Matt Davies, Managing Director for Merseyside and South Lancashire, said: “We will continue to work constructively to reach a resolution,” adding that contingency plans were being drawn up to keep as many buses running as possible during the walkouts.
Passengers are advised to check the Stagecoach website for updates on affected services.
