BUS strikes on Arriva services are set to continue throughout next month, after pay talks broke down.

On Monday, 2,000 bus drivers and engineering staff working for Arriva North West across 11 depots — including Bolton — will stage the third of three planned walkouts amid a dispute with the German-owned firm.

The Unite union has also announced that a further five one-day strikes — one of which will coincide with a separate rail strike — will be held on November 6, 8,13, 20 and 27.

Picket lines will be assembled outside each of the affected depots, including the Arriva site in Folds Road near Bolton town centre, on the strike days.

Unite regional officer John Boughton said: “It is very disappointing that talks broke down yesterday, especially given that Arriva is owned by the German transport giant Deutsche Bahn AG and has huge financial resources.

“The workers are fed up with this continuing diet of inadequate pay offers when the company makes handsome profits, yet our members struggle to make ends meet as wages lag behind rising inflation.

“We appreciate that these strikes will cause disruption to the travelling public, but the ball is very much in the company’s court.

“They have the financial clout to settle this dispute at the stroke of a pen.”

The strike on November 8 will coincide with action by members of the RMT union, whose walkout will cause disruption for train passengers hoping to use Northern Rail services.

Arriva’s website states that it operates the 575, 574, 538, 510, 534, and 541 services in Bolton.

Phil Stone, regional managing director for Arriva North West: “It is extremely disappointing that, having tabled a third improved pay offer for our drivers in a meeting with our union colleagues today, UNITE and GMB remain intent on continuing to cause unnecessary disruption and inconvenience to our customers.

“Whilst our focus has been to reach an agreement, theirs is to come up with yet more strike dates.

“We have offered a fair deal for our drivers and one that supports the sustainability of the business.

“We would urge the union, yet again, to strongly reconsider the improved offer put forward and call off the strike action.

“We would like to reassure customers that we will continue to do all we can to resolve the situation and wholeheartedly apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause.

“We want to also remind them to continue to check their routes before they travel.”

On the strike days, there will be no planned Arriva bus services operating within Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire or Cheshire, except for services running out of Chester depot and services into Chester from Wrexham and Rhyl.