AS ARRIVA bus drivers in North Wales get set for five weeks of strike action, Flintshire Council has issued advice for people who rely on the service.

The authority has put together a series of answers to questions:

I use Arriva services for travel on a daily basis, will my travel plans be affected?

Arriva North Wales has confirmed that they are working hard to avoid industrial action and, whilst they continue to engage in discussions with their trade union partners and remain committed to reaching an agreement, if an agreement is not reached, Arriva Cymru bus drivers at depots, including Amlwch, Bangor, Hawarden (Chester), Llandudno, Rhyl and Wrexham, will strike continuously from 6am on Sunday until December 19.

The industrial action will affect all Arriva bus services within North Wales and fare paying passengers will be required to make alternative arrangements if their scheduled service is not operating. Services operated by other bus companies will not be affected and will continue to run as normal.

My child is eligible for school transport, has been issued with an Arriva pass and travels to and from school on an Arriva service, will alternative transport be provided?

Flintshire Council says it is actively planning for alternative transport provision for eligible school pupils. Alternative travel arrangements will be confirmed with parents and schools affected.

Parents of eligible pupils who have not received confirmation of alternative transport provision can contact school.transport@flintshire.gov.uk to confirm travel arrangements.

My child is not eligible for school transport and pays a fare on an Arriva service bus to travel to and from school, will alternative provision be available?

No. Unfortunately not, the council cannot offer alternative transport provision for fare paying passengers.

To do so would require the council to register the route as a local bus service with the Traffic Commissioner, which requires 56 days’ notice.

As a public body, it is not permitted to register subsidised bus services on existing commercial bus service routes (regardless of whether they’re taking industrial action) and we could be challenged legally by commercial operators if it was to do so.

Additionally, given the potential number of Arriva bus services which could be affected, the council says it does not have the capacity required to provide alternative provision for non-eligible pupils.

I’ve noticed that there are spare seats left on the alternative transport provision that the council has provided, can my child use this transport?

No. Unfortunately, the council cannot offer alternative transport provision for fare paying passengers or non-eligible pupils.

Alternative transport provision is being provided for eligible pupils; but the council says it is not in a position to provide alternative transport arrangements for non-eligible pupils and you will need to make your own travel arrangements as a result.

My child travels to and from Coleg Cambria on an Arriva Service and has been issued with an Arriva pass from the college, will alternative transport be provided?

No, due to the potential number of bus services serving the college which could be affected, the council says it does not have the capacity required to provide alternative provision.

Coleg Cambria has been informed of the potential industrial action and possible disruption and the council is urging students who usually access Arriva services to travel to and from college to make alternative provision for the weeks ahead.