Commuter chaos is set to worsen in Auckland tomorrow as schools resume after holidays but disputes continue between 900 bus drivers and their employer.
The bus drivers have been locked out since Thursday morning after issuing a work to rule notice in support of their long running pay dispute, affecting about 80,000 Auckland commuters.
Auckland roads have remained relatively free of congestion, but transport officials and business leaders fear major disruption with the extra school-related traffic tomorrow.
The four unions representing the drivers made an offer on Friday to carry the children to school for free.
However, NZ Bus operations general manager Zane Fulljames said today the unions had not approached the company with this offer.
"This is both disappointing and disingenuous behaviour by the unions," he said.
"Despite being in facilitation to jointly work on solutions they chose to tell media about an offer they still are yet to approach us on. "The unions are well aware that their offer to provide school services while sounding conciliatory, cannot logistically be accommodated."
Talks between the unions and NZ Bus have been held throughout the weekend and will continue tomorrow.
NZPA