An estimated 35,000 commuters and 5000 schoolchildren are expected to be affected as council bus drivers strike over shift work requirements, workplace health and safety conditions and pay packets.
Bus passengers were encouraged to make alternative transport arrangements between 4.30am and 6.30am on Tuesday and Wednesday.
![Brisbane bus drivers decided to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170719072541im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/r/6/q/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gxd2wm.png/1500330576426.jpg)
Rail, Transport and Bus Union secretary Tom Brown said participating drivers had not taken the decision to strike lightly, but reassured commuters the impact had been kept to a minimum by walking off the job early in the morning.
But Mr Brown said the action would still send a strong message to the Brisbane City Council.
The council said in a statement the residual impacts of the strikes would continue until at least 7.30am, with contingency plans to be in place to ease commuter headaches.
On Tuesday morning, many commuters arriving in the CBD appeared to have escaped any major delays.
Jane, a rider from the city's north, said the usually packed Gympie Road had been strangely devoid of buses but she was not affected.
Every other commuter who spoke to Fairfax Media said their bus had run on time.
"Our bus was actually a little bit early," one passenger said.
BCC public transport chairman Adrian Schrinner said council would offer additional ferry and CityCat services and he urged people towards rail or private transport.
Ferries were delayed as fog descended on the city.
Cr Schrinner also fired back at the RTBU, following negotiations on Monday, saying the council was addressing driver safety concerns.
"Council has today announced that it will double its council-funded security guards deployed across the network," he said.
"Council will also survey drivers to determine if they want protective screens, and their preferred option for this measure.
"Council has put a generous pay offer on the table, with a 2.5 per cent pay rise, back-pay and a signing bonus of $400. This offer has been made to all council employees, including bus drivers.
"It is extremely disappointing that the RTBU would choose to proceed with its disruptive action, risking chaos across Brisbane's transport network, despite council's willingness to work with drivers on concerns about safety and pay."
However, Mr Brown said the offer on the table from the council was "not nearly good enough".
"The 2.5 per cent pay rise was already there and we believe it is inadequate," he said.
"Only today did they agree to double the number of guards, which is good, but not nearly good enough.
"It is not a permanent fix because security guards have very limited powers. We need people with more powers, we need more authorised transport officers."
In response to the council's concerns regarding student safety, Mr Brown said he did not remember seeing schoolchildren at those times of the morning in his 30 years as a bus driver.
Three bus depots, Virginia, Sherwood and Willawong, were expected to take part in the strikes.
Translink's Journey Planner had been updated to advise customers of the affected services.
Commuters were encouraged to plan ahead, by checking the TransLink app, website or contacting 13 12 30 for up-to-date information and make alternative arrangements if necessary.
Additional CityCat services heading upstream:
- Departing Northshore Hamilton at 5.34am and 6.04am (all stops service)
- Departing Teneriffe at 5.45am, 7.35am and 8.05am (limited stops)
- Departing Bulimba at 6.40am (limited stops)
Additional CityCat services heading downstream:
- Departing UQ St Lucia at 6.04am (all stops service)