Stagecoach buses have returned to Newport’s roads this weekend, though further strike action is just hours away.

After a week of disruption to services across Newport and Gwent last week and into Saturday, the familiar sight of the buses have been seen on the region’s roads today (Sunday, October 24).

However, after talks between Stagecoach bosses and drivers broke down late last week, it is set to be a temporary respite, with further industrial action set to resume in just a matter of hours.

Earlier today, the travel company took to social media to reassure customers that services across the region would be operating as usual today.

This includes the 151 service from Newport to Blackwood, and across the Brynmawr, Cwmbran, and Pontypool areas.

That being said, while it has been business as usual, the routes are operating on their usual, Sunday service timetable – which typically sees fewer services than any other day of the week.

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What comes next?

While the sight of the buses serving routes may come as a welcome sight to some, further strike action is expected.

Last Friday’s talks, moderated by Acas, saw Stagecoach fail to meet their drivers’ pay demands.

According to Unite, who are representing the drivers, a fresh offer made by Stagecoach was unanimously rejected.

As a result, strikes are set to resume from 2am on Monday, October 25.

Strikes are set to continue until the end of Tuesday, before another pause to proceedings.

The remaining strike dates can be found below:

From 2am on October 29 and continuing each day up to October 31. Action will end at 1.59am

From 2am on November 1 and continuing each day up to November 7. Action will end at 1.59am

From 2am on November 8 and continuing each day up to November 10. Action will end at 1.59am

From 2am on November 12 and continuing each day up to November 13. Action will end at 1.59am

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Which services are affected?

Blackwood

Services disrupted: 1A, 5, 9, 12, 14, 21, 26, 52, 56, 151, R1, R2, X15

Schools/college services disrupted: 91, 95, 96, 98, X15, 151

The evening journeys on Service 50 will not run from Newport at 19.05, 20.05 and 21.05. Evening journeys from Bargoed will not run at 20.16, 21.16 and 22.16.

Daytime journeys on Service 56 will not run but the evening journeys will continue to run at 19.00, 19.30, 20.30 from Newport and 20.45 and 21.45 from Tredegar.

Abergavenny, Blaenavon, Cwmbran, Hereford and Pontypool

Services disrupted: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 46, 47, 83, X3, X24

Schools/college services disrupted: 2, 82, 97, 15, 23, 810, 815, X3

The following school services will be running: 801, 802, 803, 807, STA1, STA2, 820

Abertillery, Brynmawr and Ebbw Vale

Services disrupted: 1A, 3, 52, 56, E3, X4, X15, Fflecsi Blaenau Gwent and school services

Service X4 will run between Abergavenny and Cardiff but will not serve Bailey Street or Brynmawr bus station and will divert via the A4047 in both directions. The last stop will be at Bryn Farm Estate. Journeys between Brynmawr and Merthyr Tydfil will not run

Schools/college services disrupted: X4