Bus services across Cambridgeshire could face severe disruption in the coming weeks as 350 Stagecoach drivers and engineers vote on whether to strike over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, has confirmed.
The workers, based in Cambridge, Peterborough, and Fenstanton, have rejected a two-year pay offer from Stagecoach, arguing it fails to reflect both the rising cost of living and the demands of their roles. Stagecoach proposed a 4% pay increase in the first year and 3% in the second, while the drivers and engineers currently earn £15.60 an hour.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Stagecoach makes huge profits and can absolutely afford to table an improved pay offer – this is what needs to happen. Unite backs Stagecoach’s Cambridgeshire workforce a hundred per cent in their demands for a fair pay rise.”
Stagecoach reported operating profits of £97.3 million in the year to April 2024, on sales of £1.6 billion.
Unite regional officer Mark Plumb added: “There is still time for Stagecoach to avoid industrial action but that requires the company putting forward an acceptable deal to our members.”
The ballot closes on 19 November, and if industrial action goes ahead, it could paralyse bus travel across the county during the busy run-up to Christmas.
Stagecoach East provides the majority of bus services in Cambridgeshire, particularly in urban centres such as Cambridge, Peterborough, and Huntingdon, and along key corridors including the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.
The company also operates all five Cambridge Park & Ride sites and most high-frequency Citi-branded routes.
Estimates suggest Stagecoach handles around 70–80% of bus journeys in the county.
The company has been a mainstay of local transport since 1980, offering both local and intercity services via its Stagecoach Group parent company. Its services are relied upon by commuters, students, and shoppers alike, meaning any strike could have a significant impact on daily life.
