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5h ago

Four-Day Bus Strike Halts Much of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network

A Unite pay dispute has taken roughly two-thirds of services off the road across the publicly managed network run by private operators.

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Overview

  • More than 2,000 Unite members at Stagecoach, Metroline and First began a walkout from 19–22 September after rejecting pay offers, including 3.5% at Stagecoach and Metroline and 6% at First Bus Rochdale.
  • TfGM is accepting bus tickets and passes on all Metrolink services and on specified Northern and TransPennine Express routes, with extra staff deployed at key interchanges.
  • Services in Bolton and Wigan continue to run, but many school routes elsewhere are canceled and passengers report turning to taxis or longer walks.
  • Mayor Andy Burnham urged a return to negotiations, pointing to proposals to lift pay and a commitment to introduce a standard minimum Bee Network rate from 2028.
  • Unite has announced further Greater Manchester strikes for 30 September to 2 October, while Bristol drivers plan a separate two-week walkout from 1 to 14 October after this week’s four-day action.