Bee Network Bus strikes cause disruption for commuters

Bus passengers across Greater Manchester – including Tameside – are being urged to plan their journeys carefully as industrial action begins bringing widespread disruption to services this weekend.

Staff at some Bee Network bus operators, including First and Stagecoach, started their strike action today in a dispute over pay.

The disruption will last until Monday 22nd of September.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that around two-thirds of Bee Network bus services will not run during the four days of strike action. This includes some school services.

Disruption may also spill over into the early morning services on Tuesday 23rd of September.

TFGM is advising passenger over the weekend to check before they travel and to plan ahead, to leave plenty of extra time for journeys, avoid peak travel times if possible and consider alternative options.

Bus tickets and passes are being accepted on Metrolink trams throughout the strike days.

The strikes are already affecting commuters this morning. The Reporter was at Ashton Bus Station where we spoke to one student: "I have struggled getting to university today as I need to get a bus and then a tram. So without the buses I have had to arrange to be dropped off near a tram stop.

"I do know that all of my friends from uni rely on the bus, and it takes around an hour to walk over otherwise. Now they have had to pay for an uber to get to their lectures."

Earlier this week the Bee Network announced further industrial action from 30th September until 2nd October.

The strikes are made up of over 2,000 Unite members. The workers are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester and First Bus Rochdale - all of which make up part of the Bee Network. 

Around 1,000 drivers from Stagecoach based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5%. On top of that 1,000 Metroline Manchester members at the Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshaw depots have walked out after turning down an "unsatisfactory below inflation pay offer" of 3.5%..

Staff at both Metroline and Stagecoach believe the offer “doesn’t address years of low pay, especially given the ongoing cost of living crisis.”

Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: "Bus operators across the country are responsible for the pay and conditions of their staff. We are encouraging operators and their unions to continue talks, reach agreement and avoid disruption for passengers.

"Around two-thirds of buses will not run if bus operator staff take industrial action. We know this will impact people's ability to get around and we're very sorry for any disruption or inconvenience.

"Trams and trains will run as normal, as well as some buses in parts of Greater Manchester. People should check to see if their bus service is affected and, if so, plan an alternative journey ahead of time."

A full list of affected services will be published on TfGM’s dedicated webpage: Industrial action affecting bus services | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM