Wellington bus drivers are planning to operate their own gold coin donation bus service, using their own buses, when they go on strike.
They say they'll walk off the job indefinitely on October 23 unless bus operators agree to negotiate a collective agreement.
"Our dispute is not with the citizens of Wellington," says advocate Graham Clarke.
"Our dispute is with the companies that have taken up the work, so that's our solution. If we can get buses, we'll operate our own service."
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But Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Chris Laidlaw doubts it will work, calling the idea "just loopy".
On Wednesday morning, angry bus drivers and union members refused to leave what was supposed to be a closed council meeting about their flailing bus network.
"You introduced it, you're responsible, you should fix it - but you mess up even the bus services themselves," one said.
A new bus network with different operators started in July, but many passengers have complained of services turning up late or being too full.
"The region's drivers are exhausted, they're being driven into the ground by this new bus system," says Mr Clarke. "It needs to change."
Up to 400 drivers are threatening to strike unless there's progress on contract talks.
"We're in a sort of strike season, there's no doubt about that - we're seeing it all over the country," says Mr Laidlaw.
They're demanding better pay and working conditions from bus operators.
"Mark my words, on the 23rd of October, if nothing changes there will be a regionwide strike for bus drivers - we'll be picketing every depot," predicts Mr Clarke.
Mr Laidlaw says he's powerless.
"I'd like to have the power to step in, it would be really very productive - then we could bang a few heads together and get something done, but we just can't."
The Tramways Union is hoping to find approximately 50 buses so drivers can operate their own services during the strike.
The council is trying to encourage a resolution, but says it's up to drivers and companies to sort it out.
Newshub.
