Bus drivers walk out

Thousands of London bus passengers were left stranded today after the RMT union ordered a 24-hour strike.

Many commuters were left facing long walks as the action - called in a row over pay and conditions - crippled services on busy routes across south-west London.

The strike hit Centra Buses services in the Croydon, Richmond, Tooting, Kingston, Purley and Mitcham areas, including routes 127, 152, 200, 201, 493 and K5.

All 93 RMT members at Centra's depot in Beddington Lane, Croydon, were ordered not to book in for work today.

The stoppage was ordered to run from 4.30am today until 4.29am tomorrow, meaning early services could also be cancelled.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "Our claim is a a basic £500 weekly wage. Rather than threaten our members with dismissal for taking perfectly lawful industrial action, the company should be negotiating a settlement to our perfectly reasonable demands."

A second 24-hour stoppage has been ordered from 4.30am on Friday week, 20 May.

There was no immediate response from Centra's parent company, Bayswater-based Central Parking Systems.