Bus fares on routes across Sydney will be free of charge this afternoon as drivers turn off Opal readers as part of industrial action.

Secretary of the Bus & Tram Division at the Rail, Tram and Bus Union, David Babineau, said the action was more about better conditions than better pay.

“You’re talking about things like an extra week of annual leave, or something as basic as a six or eight minute break after your one hour and a half long bus trip,” he told Jim Wilson on 2GB Drive.

“It’s a lot more important to a bus driver than an extra couple of bucks.”

The depots that will be affected are Burwood, Leichardt, Kings Grove and Tempe.

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