COMMUTERS had to find other forms of transport yesterday when bus drivers walked out in pursuit of a pay claim.

But fears that roads in York would be gridlocked failed to materialise with some travellers opting to stay at home and many people deciding they would walk to work.

The strike went ahead after chiefs at the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) turned down a request from bus company First to bring in conciliation service Acas.

More than 40 drivers turned up at the company's James Street depot at 4am to picket the premises.

First's head of services Peter McCarthy said: "It's been dead in the city and people are staying away because they think it's going to be gridlock."

Agency drivers and management from across First were brought in to ensure three of the city's park-and-ride services ran to timetable.

TGWU branch secretary Bill Taylor said: "All we are trying to do is earn a decent living wage. This is our way of showing the company that we are serious and mean business."