THE boss of Stagecoach has pocketed a pay package worth nearly £2 million while “desperate bus drivers are forced to strike to make ends meet,” their union warned today.

Transport union GMB said the bus firm’s chief executive Martin Griffiths received £1,751,000 in 2021-22 when pension contributions are included — an increase of a whopping 92.4 per cent on the previous 12 months.

The company’s regional bus services also doubled their operating profits to £58m over the same period, according to the union.