UPDATE, WEDNESDAY 2.45PM: Further bus network bans in Ballarat are looming as further industrial action appears likely.
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Public Transport Victoria has announced it appears likely that bus drivers will not operate for four hours this coming Friday.
If it goes ahead, there will be no buses operating in Ballarat between 2pm and 6pm on Friday.
The action, if it goes ahead will impact bus routes operated by CDC Victoria, including some routes in Geelong and Melbourne.
Customers are advised to seek alternate travel arrangements.
EARLIER, TUESDAY: The strike which shut down Ballarat’s entire bus network on Tuesday could be the start of ongoing action drivers say.
Bus drivers picketed outside CDC Ballarat over what they say is an unfair pay offer.
It is the first time in 20 years bus drivers have taken strike action.
Union delegate Brad Glensiter said the action was a last resort.
“We’ve been meeting the last seven or eight weeks and it’s come down to this,” he said.
“This will keep on happening until such time that we get a result. There will be more strikes happening. We’re hoping it doesn’t get to that.”
CDC Victoria chief executive Nicholas Yap said: “It has been a difficult day at CDC Victoria and on behalf of the team I would like to apologise to all our customers who have been affected by today’s industrial action.”
“Our drivers do a very important job and we feel our offer... demonstrates our support for them.”
Service will resume on Wednesday.