Bus company offered workers 4.6% pay increase in July, says boss.

A bus business has responded to reports that thousands of bus workers would strike next month.

Unite members at Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus Crawley have rejected a 3.5% salary offer.

The union stated that this was a real-terms pay drop, with inflation reaching 4.5 percent in July 2025. Workers are scheduled to strike on October 6 and 15 as a consequence of a vote question in which 1,300 workers were polled about going on strike.

However, Ed Wills, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus, stated that “since July 2025, two pay increases have been offered to Unite the Union.”

In the most recent agreement, the corporation offered a 4.6% salary rise and 5.0% back pay until July 1, 2025.

This is greater or equivalent to all current inflation metrics (CPI 3.8%, CPIH 4.1%, and RPI 4.6%). “We are eager to ensure that our crew receives a pay boost this year. This 4.6% offer would mean a 33.5% rise in our driving rates over four years.

“Currently drivers earn on average £36,000 in Brighton & Hove and £38,000 in Crawley after six weeks and before this latest offer is applied.”

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