NEW YORK (AFP) - Drivers of New York's yellow school buses were to go on strike Wednesday, leaving 152,000 children looking for a new way to get to class on time.

The drivers' union announced the strike on Monday after failing to come to an agreement with the city over job security. The strike will also include staff known as matrons who oversee the children as they get on and off buses.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the strike "regrettable" and said the union was "abandoning 152,000 students and their families who rely on school bus service each day."

The city announced a series of measures aimed at alleviating the hassle for parents. Subway tickets will be given free of charge to students and parents using cars or taxis for the school run will be reimbursed.