Bus strikes across Greater Manchester called OFF

Most bus services across the region will now run as normal this weekend after 190 were expected to be impacted

Bus strikes across Greater Manchester that were due to impact around 190 services from Friday been called off at the eleventh-hour, it has been announced.

Most bus services across the region will now run as normal this weekend with unions abandoning the industrial action that had been planned to start from Friday (October 10).

Staff at two Bee Network bus operators - Metroline and Stagecoach were set to stage the walkout on October 10, 11 and 13 in an ongoing row over pay.

Services across the region were expected to be impacted, including some school buses, with no services in Tameside, Trafford and Stockport ad further disruption across south Manchester and the city centre.

Unite the Union announced on Thursday evening that the strikes will be suspended while it ballots drivers on a new pay offer from the operators.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said: “Bus drivers are critical to the success of the Bee Network and we value what they do to keep Greater Manchester moving.

“We’ve been working hard to get to this point and are pleased Unite has called off this weekend’s strikes. We are hopeful that an agreement between operators and the union can be reached quickly to avoid further action.