BUS users face more chaos on Monday when Stagecoach Ribble drivers strike for the second time in a month.

All the company's services throughout the Bolton area are expected to come to a standstill with the exception of some school services.

The industrial action, which follows a ballot of drivers, is expected to bring disruption to thousands of people.

The strike comes after trade union members yesterday rejected a revised pay offer put to them by Stagecoach bosses - one of the Bolton area's biggest bus operators.

A Stagecoach Ribble spokesman stressed that the company would do everything to minimise disruption.

And Horwich-based Blue Bus Company, which runs services on similar routes to Stagecoach Ribble in the Ladybridge, Belmont, Oldhams Estate and Astley Bridge areas, will be putting on extra buses. A company spokesman said they would respond to demand if there were reports of people stranded at bus stops.

The Stagecoach Ribble spokesman said: "The revised pay offer negotiated with and recommended by the trade union has been rejected by the drivers."

He confirmed that most of their Bolton services will be affected, although school services will run.

The 125 between Preston and Bolton, via Chorley, will also operate at peak hours, with a reduced service at other times.

There has already been a one day stoppage on December 14. But another, which had been planned for January 4, was averted at the last minute.

Scores of people were stranded at bus stops throughout the town following the first walk-out by drivers .

But it ended in tragedy when a man on a picket line at the company's Blackburn bus depot was crushed to death by a bus in an horrific accident.

Full details of local bus services are available from GMPTE's inquiry unit on 0161 228 7811 between 8am and 8pm each day.

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