BUS passengers were again left waiting at bus stops today as Stagecoach Ribble drivers staged their second one-day strike. And with drivers reporting a lack of correspondence from bus bosses, further action is set to take place next Wednesday. Earlier today it appeared that no buses had left Stagecoach's Bolton depot on Goodwin Street. But the firm said that 90 of its 360 services were in operation. Roy Husband, Bolton spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "It's been cold, wet and windy but we have to keep smiling. We'll be staying all day and it's been another successful strike. As yet we have had no contact with management."

Mr Husband said he had been manning the picket line from 4.30am. Drivers have turned down Stagecoach Ribble's pay offer, which proposes to give drivers a 28 month deal with a senior rate of £5.50 an hour on January 1, 2001 and with a review date of May 1, 2002.

Managing director Michael Chambers said: "I cannot stress enough that the company has no more money available."