NZ Bus says it's committed to fair wage increases but the union's request of an overall 10 percent increase is unrealistic in an increasingly competitive environment.

Auckland Transport expects 75 percent of Auckland's buses will be off the roads from 4am Friday as bus drivers strike for better pay.

Around 70 thousand customers on some Metrolink, North Star, Go West, Waka Pacific, Link, Howick & Eastern buses, plus some school buses will have to find alternative transport, or stay at home.

Northern Chief Operating Officer Shane McMahon said the company values it's drivers and is also apologetic to commuters who will be disrupted.

He said they've proposed maximum pay increases of 1.7 percent. This means the most a bus driver can earn is 20 dollars and 75 cents a hour, plus overtime rates.

In the meantime Auckland Transport is reminding people to arrange alternative transport.

Bus Services Manager Brendon Main is reminding people some services will be available. He said rail, ferry and some bus services will still be running as planned.

He asking people to consider travelling outside rush hour, car pooling, cycling or walking if their service is affected.

Schedules are expected to return to normal from 4am on Saturday.

 

For more infromation on the services affected click HERE