Is this the end of the National Express West Midlands bus strikes?
ITV News Central journalist Ravneet Nandra met with businesses to see how the bus strikes have impacted Bearwood High Street
Thousands of bus drivers are to be balloted on a new offer aimed at resolving a pay dispute as the industrial action enters its fourth day.
It comes as National Express West Midlands tabled a new pay deal for striking workers.
More than 3,100 bus drivers will vote tomorrow and on Saturday on an improved offer put forward by the company, Unite said today.
Strike action will continue while the ballot is held on Friday and Saturday.
The impact of the strikes has meant some commuters have had to resort to costly alternatives.
Will Thomas travels from a small village outside of Stourbridge to get to his job at an architectural firm, but with no bus, the bill is becoming expensive.
He said: "It’s expensive, luckily I’m able to come in with my dad but when I’m not we’re talking £50 [on a cab] for the trip around.
"The trains are a couple of quid here and there, but there are no routes to the train station so I’m going to have to use private services to get there so potentially for a week it would cost me £250 to get into work.”
A National Express West Midlands spokesperson said: "We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Unite that is going to be fully recommended to its members and will be balloted on Friday and Saturday."
They added: "Subject to a positive ballot, we are intending to operate a reduced service from Sunday 26 March and a normal service from Monday 27 March.
"We are very sorry to customers for the disruption this week."
The spokesperson added: "This is a very fair and decent offer - among the best pay rises of any sector, anywhere in the country.
"We encourage all our drivers to accept the offer and get the West Midlands moving again."
Strike action will continue while the ballot is held, with the results known on Saturday.
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: "Following negotiations today, National Express put forward an improved pay offer which will be put to our members in a vote over the next two days.
"Unite will be making no further comments during the ballot period."