AS BUS strikes continue across the region, one single mum is forking out over £40 a day for her family’s transportation costs, while elderly people are walking six miles to get around.

Shabeena Abdullah, 42 who works in Heckmondwike, has been paying £46 to get herself to work and her children to school and has been doing since the buses went on strike on June 6.

The single mum who works part-time in a shop said: “I rely on buses to get me and my children around and this is costing me an absolute fortune.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The usually busy bus hub in Heckmondwike is empty as drivers strike The usually busy bus hub in Heckmondwike is empty as drivers strike

“The cost of living has gone up as it is and now, I’m paying this much in taxi fare, just to get my kids to school and myself to work.

“Everyone who’s come into the shop has complained about the strikes and it’s had a massive impact on business.

“We’re seeing fewer customers because they can’t get around and there have been no notices or signs at the hub saying drivers are on strike.

“Earlier this week, there was an elderly woman who was really struggling and she didn’t know the buses weren’t running.

“I had to call her a taxi to get her to her hospital appointment.

“It’s been really bad.”

College student, Ayman Mahmood, 17, who attends Dewsbury College, said: “I have to get a taxi to college now and it’s more expensive than the bus.”

One woman highlighted how quiet the streets were in comparison to usual.

Philomena Barrowclough, 64 said: “Heckmondwike is quiet today, there’s no one to talk to.

“This bus strike is appalling. I can sometimes be quite reliant on buses and had this been a couple of weeks ago when my partner was in the hospital, I would have really struggled because I was getting the bus to Pinderfields every day.”

Down the road in Cleckheaton, Jonathan Jones, who was unaware of the bus strikes and suffers from arthritis in his knees was in the predicament of having to make the 45-minute trek back home, uphill.

He said: “I was just saying I hadn’t seen many busses coming by, and I’ve found out that they’re on strike.

“I usually walk down with the dog and then get the bus back home, but it’s going to take me 45 minutes to walk home.”

Derek Greenwood, 85 walked six miles to get to and from his lunch in Littletown.

While sitting in the park opposite the bus station he said: “They should sack them all and get new drivers."

The strikes are set to continue until an agreement is reached between the union and Arriva over the pay of bus drivers.

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