LONDON Dec. 29 (People's Daily Online) —— The 24-hour bus strike, by bus drivers of company Tower Transit in London over pay and conditions, which began at 00:01 today is causing severe disruption. Thirteen bus routes in east London are affected.

And on the Monday of Jan. 5, 2015, another 24-hour strike will affect more bus routes operating in east and west London.

Unite union said its members were left with little choice but to strike.

TfL's director of buses Mike Weston said: “Bus drivers' pay and conditions are a matter for Tower Transit and Unite to discuss, as it has been for the last 20 years, and we would urge them to seek a swift and fair resolution for the sake of our passengers.”

A Unite spokesperson said: “Faced with an increasingly hostile management which is hell bent on driving down the pay, terms and conditions, our members have been left with little option but to take the unusual step of striking.”

TFL reminds passengers should check their website for updates before travelling. (Bai Tianxing)