A BUS company serving the West Devon area has upped its offer on pay to drivers in a bid to avert strike action which would cause disruption to services.

The agreement with the RMT union is offering drivers at Stagecoach South West a 9.7% hourly pay rate increase, which the company says would deliver an annual pay increase of close to £1,000.

Stagecoach South West confirmed today that it had made a fresh pay offer to the RMT trade union in a bid to break the deadlock and reach an agreement.

This covers employees at the company’s bases in Exeter, Exmouth, Barnstaple, Tiverton, Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot. The new pay deal will apply immediately.

Improvements have also been offered to new start employees to help their career path in the sector, including a higher training rate.

Mike Watson, managing director at Stagecoach South West, said: ’Buses are a lifeline for local people across the South West.

’We are committed to ensuring our people who keep our communities connected are properly rewarded, particularly after their contribution to the country over the past 18 months of the pandemic.

’We have worked tirelessly to protect the jobs of our people during the pandemic and have left no stone unturned to deliver a fair and sustainable pay agreement for employees across our bus depots.

’Our offer will deliver a substantial improvement in the pay package available to all of our employees, including new starters who are looking to build a career in the bus sector.

’We would urge the RMT to put our people and the communities first by supporting our offer and ending the uncertainty for everyone who depends on the region’s bus services as we look to recover from the pandemic.’

He said that fares from passengers did not cover the service and that Stagecoach South West relied on Government subsidies.