Overview

• About 2,000 Unite members at Stagecoach, Metroline and First Bus began a coordinated four‑day stoppage from 19 to 22 September, with further action scheduled for 30 September to 2 October.
• Transport for Greater Manchester is accepting bus tickets and passes on the full Metrolink network and on specified Northern and TransPennine Express trains, with extra staff deployed at key interchanges.
• Services in Wigan and Bolton continue to run, trams and trains operate as normal, and Local Link, Ring and Ride and Manchester city centre’s free bus remain in service.
• Edge communities without rail or tram options, including Hollingworth, report being effectively cut off, and the disruption extends to school buses during a weekend of major events.
• Drivers rejected offers of 3.5% at Stagecoach and Metroline and 6% at First Bus Rochdale; operators say they are open to talks, and Unite has warned of escalation if no progress is made.