TfGM issues travel update ahead of further industrial action

With industrial action set to impact some Bee Network bus services across the city-region, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is warning passengers on how services will be impacted.

Stagecoach, Metroline and First will strike from Tuesday 30th September to Thursday 2nd October, affecting around two-thirds of Bee Network buses in Greater Manchester, including the majority of services in Stockport and South Manchester where these operators run franchises. Industrial action will affect both school buses as well as regular services. Strikes follow a three-day period of industrial action that took place from 19th to 22nd September.

Trams and trains, and bus services run by other operators, will continue to run as normal, though services are likely to busier than normal, especially at peak times. TfGM is urging passengers to check if their service is running ahead of travelling, plan ahead and leave plenty of time to make their journeys.

Ticket acceptance will be in place for passengers with period tickets and some concessionary passes on alternative modes of transport, with full details, including which bus services will not be operating during the industrial action, can be found on the TfGM website.

Industrial action pertains to pay negotiations with operators, with similar action being taken at bus depots nationwide, and is not a result of franchise arrangements as part of the Bee Network. The city-region, however, does intend to introduce a minimum rate of pay for drivers on Bee Network bus operators from 2028.