Bus strikes set to cause major disruption

Glossop residents planning to use buses to travel across Tameside and Greater Manchester, are being urged to plan their journeys carefully as industrial action is set to bring widespread disruption.

Staff at some Bee Network bus operators, including First and Stagecoach, have announced strike action from Friday 19th to Monday 22nd September in a dispute over pay.

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 late-night services on Thursday 18th September and early morning services on Tuesday 23rd of September.

In Tameside the following services will not operate during the industrial action:

• 7 - Stockport - Reddish - Droylsden - Ashton
• 201 - Hattersley - Hyde - Denton - Manchester
• 202 - Gee Cross - Hyde - Haughton Green - Manchester
• 216 - Manchester - Clayton - Droylsden - Ashton
• 219 - Stalybridge - Ashton - Openshaw - Manchester
• 219N - Stalybridge - Ashton - Openshaw - Manchester
• 220 - Manchester - Dukinfield - Stalybridge
• 221 - Dukinfield - Audenshaw - Openshaw - Manchester
• 230 - Ashton-under-Lyne - Droylsden - Piccadilly Gardens
• 231 - Ashton-under-Lyne - Hurst - Droylsden - Piccadilly Gardens
• 237 - Ashton - Stalybridge - Glossop
• 330 - Ashton-under-Lyne - Dukinfield - Hyde - Woodley - Stockport
• 336 - Ashton - Hazelhurst - Ashton Circular
• 337 - Ashton - Hazelhurst - Ashton Circular
• 346 - Hyde - Ashton
• 347 - Ashton - Denton - Haughton Green Circular
• 348 - Ashton - Stalybridge - Copley - Carrbrook
• 350 - Ashton - Tameside Hospital - Uppermill - Oldham
• 389 - Ashton - Stalybridge - Astley Circular

A full list of affected services will be published on TfGM’s dedicated webpage: www.beenetwork.com/bus-industrial-action.

The services that are not affected include:

• Buses: Services in Bolton and Wigan will continue to operate, along with some routes in North Manchester and the free bus service in Manchester city centre. Local Link and Ring and Ride services will also run as normal.

• Trams: The Metrolink network will operate as usual, though services are expected to be busier - particularly over the weekend with Manchester United’s home game against Chelsea on Saturday evening and concerts at Co-Op Live and AO Arena.

• Trains: All local and regional train services, including Northern and TransPennine Express, are expected to run as normal.

TfGM is advising people to:

• Check before you travel and plan ahead.

• Leave plenty of extra time for your journeys.

• Avoid peak travel times (7am–9am and 4pm–6pm) if possible.

• Consider alternative options such as trams, trains, cycling or walking where appropriate.

To help ease disruption, TfGM has confirmed that bus tickers and passes will be valid on Metrolink trams throughout the strike days. This includes 7-day, 28-day, term-time and annual passes, as well as concessionary passes such as Our Pass.

TfGM staff will also be stationed at key transport interchanges to support passengers, while its Contact Centre (0161 244 1000) will have extended opening hours.

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."

Passengers can stay up to date with the latest information on services and ticketing at: www.beenetwork.com/bus-industrial-action