There are concerns for the safety of 23,000 school children as Brisbane bus drivers prepare to take strike action on Friday afternoon.
The industrial action continues as bus drivers are in negotiations with Brisbane City Council over wages, improved safety and rostering issues.
Bus drivers will refuse to collect fares on Thursday and will strike for four hours on Friday from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.
It follows last week's stop-work action, when drivers walked off the job for two hours on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Brisbane City Council has accused the Rail, Tram and Bus Union of putting its pay claims ahead of the safety of school children.
Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he tried to organise a committee safety meeting on Friday, but the union declined the invitation to attend.
"What's happening here is they're putting strike action above a sensible discussion on safety which is really disappointing I think," Cr Schrinner said.
"They are saying publicly it is all about safety, but in reality, it is more about wanting to be the best paid bus drivers in Australia."
Cr Schrinner estimated the strike action would cost more than $500,000 to the taxpayer.
"Our priority will be school bus services and the routes that carry large numbers of school students," he said.
"We expect there will be up to 23,000 school students impacted on Friday afternoon if this strike goes ahead."
He said the council was putting on extra CityCat services and encouraged parents to make contingency plans to get their child home from school.
"This is a matter of safety we can't afford to have students stranded at bus stops, it is just not on," Cr Schrinner said.
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union said council was "refusing to negotiate" and they would not stop campaigning until they reached a fair agreement.
