Many bus services will not run at all as 2,000 drivers take legal action
18:35, 12 Sep 2025Updated 19:05, 12 Sep 2025
It is the first wave of industrial action to hit the Bee Network since buses were brought under public control by Andy Burnham(Image: TfGM)
Bus passengers are set to face major disruption next week with strikes affecting two-thirds of services in Greater Manchester. More than 2,000 members of the union Unite who work under the Bee Network are set to walk out in a coordinated strike over pay.
It is the first wave of industrial action to hit the Bee Network since buses were brought under public control by Andy Burnham. The strikes mean some services – including schools buses – will not run, with all boroughs except for Bolton and Wigan to be affected.
It comes after staff at three Bee Network bus operators – First, Metroline and Stagecoach – announced that they would walk out from Friday, September 19 to Monday, September 22. Union bosses have said that the strikes will cause ‘serious disruption to bus services’.
The strikes will fall on a weekend that will see a number of major events across the region. Manchester United will host Chelsea at Old Trafford on September 20, while Peter Kay performs at the AO Arena and Tom Grennan plays at Co-op Live on September 19.
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With a week to go, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has also provided a full list of the services that will be affected.
Around two-thirds of Bee Network buses will not run at all, including some school services. Due to the timing of industrial action, some late-night services on Thursday, September 18 and very early morning services on Tuesday September 23 may also be affected.
Labour councillor Phil Burke, who is the lead member for transport at Rochdale council, says he fully supports the bus drivers going on strike, but he is worried about the impact of the walkout on people who won’t be able to get to work, including over the weekend.
He said: “I’m worried and concerned about local constituents having to miss work. While we fully understand and appreciate the bus drivers’ concerns, we also have to think about the other people who can’t go to work through no choice of their own.
“I hope some agreement can be reached as soon as possible to avoid these strikes.”
Rochdale councillor Phil Burke sits on the Bee Network committee(Image: Rochdale Council)
At Stagecoach, around 1,000 drivers based at the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5 per cent.
Another 1,000 workers at Metroline Manchester – based at the Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshawe depots – have also turned down a 3.5 per cent pay offer. Meanwhile, 110 members at First Bus Rochdale rejected this year’s pay offer of six per cent.
Unite says the offers are ‘unsatisfactory’ following ‘years of low pay’ and the ‘ongoing cost of living crisis’, with inflation now at 3.8 pc.
The operators have said they are ‘disappointed’ with the union’s decision to take strike action, saying they are ‘open’ to discussions.
Labour councillor Anthony McCaul, who is the Deputy Executive Member for Environment, Clean Air and Transport at Manchester council, said: “Whilst this is a matter between drivers, the bus companies, and the Unions, we understand the importance bus drivers play in providing a safe and reliable bee network and hope an agreement can be made that works for all parties to avoid the strikes and the impacts it will have on our residents, businesses, and visitors over the weekend.
“Some of the areas most impacted by the strikes in Manchester include some of Greater Manchester’s busiest and well used bus routes. Manchester City Council will be working hard with our partners in TfGM to mitigate as many impacts as we can during the strikes especially during a busy weekend of events across the city.”
Danny Vaughan is TfGM’s chief network officer(Image: Manchester Evening News)
TfGM says that several measures are being put in place to help people get around, including allowing customers to use their bus tickets and passes on alternative routes. Passengers with 7-day, 28-day, term-time or annual bus passes, as well as those with concessionary passes – including Our Pass – will be able to use their tickets and passes on all Metrolink trams on strike days.
However, local roads and all other forms of public transport are set to be busier than normal, with demand for hire bikes likely to rise too. TfGM has urged people to allow extra time when travelling and – if possible – to avoid peak times (7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm).
TfGM Chief Network Officer Danny Vaughan 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. It will be busier than normal and we’re urging people to leave plenty of time when travelling around the city-region.
“We are doing all we can to let people know about this and minimise the disruption and keep Greater Manchester moving. Our teams will be out helping passengers, bus tickets and passes will be accepted on trams, and all other public transport services will run as normal.”
Full list of services affected
Bury
Bee Network buses:
B3 – Bury – Ferngrove – Heywood – Norden461 – Bury – Norden – Rochdale467 – Bury – Bamford – Daniel Fold – Rochdale468 – Bury – Bamford – Greave – Rochdale469 – Bury – Tottington
School buses:
All school bus services in Bury will operate.Manchester
Bee Network buses:
7 – Ashton-under-Lyne – Reddish – Heaton Chapel – Stockport11 – Altrincham – Gatley – Cheadle – Edgeley – Stockport15 – Flixton – Davyhulme – Urmston – Manchester17 – Manchester – Blackley – Middleton – Rochdale17/17A/17B – Rochdale – Stakehill – Middleton – Manchester18 – Langley – Middleton – Manchester – Manchester Royal Infirmary23 – Trafford Centre – Didsbury – Stockport25 – Stockport – Chorlton – Trafford Centre38 – Logistics Nth – Walkden – Swinton – Manchester42 – Manchester – Rusholme – East Didsbury – Stockport42A – Reddish – East Didsbury – Rusholme – Manchester42B – Woodford – Bramhall – East Didsbury – Manchester42C – Handforth – Cheadle – East Didsbury – Manchester43 – Manchester – Wythenshawe – Manchester Airport50 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays51 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays56 – Manchester – North Manchester General Hospital – Manchester Circular59 – Oldham – Middleton – Manchester76- Manchester – Failsworth – Limeside – Oldham76A – Manchester – Oldham76B – Manchester – Newton Heath – Woodhouses81 – Manchester – Moston – Oldham83 – Manchester – Hollinwood – Oldham – Sholver84 – Uppermill – Oldham – Manchester85 – Chorlton – Alexandra Park – Manchester85A – Manchester – Alexandra Park – Chorlton86 – Manchester – Brooks’s Bar – Chorlton86N – Manchester – Chorlton101 – Manchester – Northenden – Baguley – Wythenshawe102 – Southern Cemetery – Manchester103 – Manchester Airport – Wythenshawe – Manchester111 – Southern Cemetery – Withington – Manchester112 – Middleton – Moston – Collyhurst – Manchester113 – Middleton – Moston – Collyhurst – Manchester114 – Manchester – Collyhurst – Moston – Alkrington115 – Middleton – Moston Circular116 – Middleton – Moston Circular117 – Manchester – Moston – Greengate118 – Manchester – Moston – North Manchester General Hospital119 – Higher Blackley – Moston – Manchester142 – Manchester – University – East Didsbury143 – West Didsbury – Rusholme – University – Manchester147 – Piccadilly Rail Station – West Didsbury150 – Trafford Centre – Chorlton – Gorton156 – Manchester – North Manchester General Hospital – Higher Blackley – Middleton171 – Newton Heath – Gorton – East Didsbury172 – Southern Cemetery – Gorton – Newton Heath181 – Shaw – Chadderton – Moston – Manchester182 – Manchester – Chadderton – Shaw191 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester192 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester (including 00.00 – 00.40am departures from Hazel Grove on Tuesday morning)197 – Manchester – Longsight – Green End – Stockport201 – Hattersley – Hyde – Denton – Manchester202 – Gee Cross – Hyde – Haughton Green – Manchester203 – Stockport – Reddish – Belle Vue – Manchester205 – Manchester – West Gorton – Dane Bank216 – Manchester – Clayton – Droylsden – Ashton219 – Stalybridge – Ashton – Openshaw – Manchester219N – Stalybridge – Ashton – Openshaw – Manchester220 – Manchester – Dukinfield – Stalybridge221 – Dukinfield – Audenshaw – Openshaw – Manchester230 – Manchester – Littlemoss – Ashton231 – Manchester – Clayton – Droylsden – Ashton248 – Eccles – Trafford Park – Sale – Manchester Airport249 – Altrincham – Wythenshawe250 – Trafford Centre – Old Trafford – Manchester253 – Partington – Flixton – Urmston – Manchester255 – Manchester – Stretford – Urmston – Partington256 – Flixton – Stretford – Hulme – Manchester263 – Manchester – Hulme – Sale – Altrincham313 – Manchester Airport – Cheadle Hulme – Adswood – Stockport368 – Wythenshawe – StockportX50 – Trafford Centre – ManchesterX92 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
School buses:
Barlow RC High School
727 – Gorton – Ryder Brow – Levenshulme – Barlow RC High School
Burnage Academy
728 (AM only) – Gorton – Ryder Brow – Levenshulme – Burnage Academy749 – Moss Side – Longsight – Levenshulme – Burnage Academy751 – Burnage Academy – Manchester City Centre797 – Burnage Academy – Manchester Piccadilly
Co-op Failsworth
76 – Co-op Failsworth – Manchester
Levenshulme High School
171 – Gorton Tesco – Levenshulme High School727 – Levenshulme High School – Ryder Brow – Gorton – Hyde Road
Loreto College
86 – Chorlton – Manchester, PM extras from Loreto College742 – Burnage – Levenshulme – Loreto College743 – Heald Green – Gatley – Northenden – Didsbury – Loreto College
Loreto High School
720 – Hulme – Moss Side – Loreto High School
Trinity High School
724 – New Moston – Moston – Newton Heath – Trinity High School725 – Ryder Brow – Trinity High School
Whalley Range High School
150 – Gorton – Whalley Range
Wright Robinson College
150 – Trafford Centre – Whalley Range – Gorton – Wright Robinson172 – Levenshulme – Wright Robinson703 – Monsall – Miles Platting – Clayton – Wright Robinson College704 – Harpurhey – Wright Robinson College706 – Wright Robinson College – Ryder Brow – LevenshulmeOldham
Bee Network buses:
57 – Oldham – Rushcroft Circular59 – Oldham – Middleton – Manchester76 – Manchester – Failsworth – Limeside – Oldham76A – Manchester – Oldham76B – Manchester – Newton Heath – Woodhouses81 – Manchester – Moston – Oldham82 – Oldham – Sholver83 – Manchester – Hollinwood – Oldham – Sholver84 – Uppermill – Oldham – Manchester129 – Middleton – Hollin – Boarshaw circular180 – Oldham – Lees – Greenfield181 – Shaw – Chadderton – Moston – Manchester182 – Manchester – Chadderton – Shaw183 – Royal Oldham Hospital – Oldham – Limeside184 – Oldham – Diggle – Huddersfield350 – Ashton – Tameside Hospital – Uppermill – Oldham402 – Buckstones – Oldham403 – Oldham – Shaw – Buckstones – High Crompton Circular409 – Rochdale – Royton – Oldham – Ashton411 – Oldham – Derker Circular415 – Oldham – Middleton425 – Oldham – Alt – Holts circular426 – Oldham – Fitton Hill Circular
School buses:
Crompton House
402 – Oldham – Royton – Crompton House School435 – Crompton House – Rochdale436 – Rochdale – Crompton House School436 – Crompton House School – Milnrow442 – Norden – Rochdale
North Chadderton High School
402 – Shaw – Royton – North Chadderton School
Royton & Crompton High School
402 – High Crompton – Royton Middleton Rd (Royton & Crompton High School)
Saddleworth High School
184 – Saddleworth High School – OldhamRochdale
Bee Network buses:
17/17A/17B – Rochdale – Middleton – Blackley – Manchester125 – Middleton – Birch – Heywood129 – Middleton – Hollins – Stanycliffe – Boarshaw circular156 – Middleton – NMGH – Manchester City Centre406 – Rochdale – Kirkholt Circular409 – Rochdale – Royton – Oldham – Ashton434 – Rochdale – Castleton – Middleton435/436 – Rochdale – Milnrow – Buckstones – High Crompton – Rochdale437 – Rochdale – Lane Head440 – Rochdale – Rochdale Infirmary – Syke442 – Rochdale – Bamford – Norden447 – Rochdale – Wallbank450 – Peppermint Bridge – Rochdale451 – Rochdale – Peppermint Bridge – Rochdale455 – Rochdale – Milnrow – Littleborough – Stansfield456 – Littleborough – Rochdale457 – Littleborough – Shore – Rochdale458 – Rochdale – Littleborough461 – Rochdale – Shawfield Circular467 – Rochdale – Daniel Fold – Bamford – Bury468 – Rochdale – Cutgate – Bamford – Jericho – Bury
School buses:
Holy Family College
433 – Norden – Bamford – Holy Family RC CE College
Kingsway Park
434 – Rochdale – Kingsway Park High School
Newhouse Academy
125 – Wilton Arms – Newhouse Academy
St Cuthberts RC High
447 – Healy Corner – Rochdale – St Cuthberts RC High
Wardle Academy
456 – Stansfield – Littleborough – Wardle Academy456 – Wardle Academy – Low Hill – Rochdale458 – Littleborough – Wardle Academy458 – Wardle Academy – Littleborough – Stansfield458 – Rochdale – Low Hill – Wardle AcademySalford
Bee Network buses:
38 – Logistics Nth – Walkden – Swinton – Manchester50 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays51 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays248 – Eccles – Trafford Centre – Manchester Airport
School buses:
All school bus services in Salford will operate.Stockport
Bee Network buses:
7 – Stockport – Reddish – Droylsden – Ashton11 – Altrincham – Wythenshawe – Cheadle – Stockport23 – Trafford Centre – Didsbury – Stockport25 – Stockport – Chorlton – Trafford Centre42 – Manchester – Rusholme – East Didsbury – Stockport42A – Reddish – East Didsbury – Rusholme – Manchester42B – Woodford – Bramhall – East Didsbury – Manchester42C – Handforth – Cheadle – East Didsbury – ManchesterX92 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester191 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester192 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester197 – Manchester – Longsight – Green End – Stockport203 – Stockport – Reddish – Belle Vue – Manchester312 – Stockport – Bridge Hall – Cheadle313 – Stockport – Manchester Airport – Cheadle Hulme Circular314 – Stockport – Offerton Estate – Stockport Circular322 – Haughton Green – Brinnington – Stockport325 – Stockport – Portwood – Brinnington Circular327 – Stockport – Portwood – Brinnington – Denton330 – Stockport – Hyde – Ashton358 – Stockport – Marple – New Mills – Hayfield360 – Stockport – Hazel Grove – Hayfield368 – Wythenshawe – Stockport370 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport371 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport374 – Stockport – Hazel Grove Circular378/378A/379 – Stockport – Cheadle Hulme – Heald Green Circular382 – Stockport – Bredbury – Romiley – Woodley383 – Stockport – Marple – Romiley Circular384 – Stockport – Bredbury – Romiley – Marple Circular
School buses:
Aquinas College
792 – Heaviley – Heaton Moor
Bramhall High School
852 – Cheadle Heath – Davenport – Bramhall High School855 – Adswood – Davenport – Bramhall High School877 – Stockport – Cheadle – Cheadle Hulme – Bramhall High School
Cheadle PC Infants and Juniors
818 – Cheadle – Gatley – Cheadle Catholic Primary School
Cheadle Hulme High School
856 – Heald Green – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School863 – Stockport – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School
Harrytown RC High School
819 – Harrytown High School – Greave – Mellor843 (AM only) – Hazel Grove- Harrytown High School845 – Stockport – Offerton – Harrytown High School854 – Brinnington – Greave – Harrytown High School
Hazel Grove High School
374 – Stockport – Hazel Grove High School827 – Heaviley – Chepstow Drive – Hazel Grove High School834 – Bosden Farm – High Lane – Hazel Grove High School858 – Hall Street – Bosden Farm – Hazel Grove High School874 – Cheadle Heath – Davenport – Hazel Grove High School
Kingsway School
758 – Heald Green – Kingsway School812 – Stockport – Cheadle – St James’ RC High School
Laurus Cheadle Hulme
856 – Heald Green – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School863 – Stockport – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School866 – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Bridge Hall – Stockport
Marple Hall School
802 – Hazel Grove – Mellor – Marple Hall School808 – Lane Ends – Marple Hall844 – Stockport – Bosden Farm – Marple Hall
St James’ RC High School
758 – Heald Green – Kingsway School – Gatley – St James’s Catholic High School (only 7.56am service from Kingsway will operate)811 – Heaton Chapel – Adswood – St James’ Catholic High School812 – Stockport – Cheadle – St James’ RC High School815 – Heaviley – Bramhall – St James’ Catholic High School857 – Shaw Heath – Cheadle Hulme – St James’ Catholic High SchoolTameside
Bee Network buses:
7 – Stockport – Reddish – Droylsden – Ashton201 – Hattersley – Hyde – Denton – Manchester202 – Gee Cross – Hyde – Haughton Green – Manchester216 – Manchester – Clayton – Droylsden – Ashton219 – Stalybridge – Ashton – Openshaw – Manchester219N – Stalybridge – Ashton – Openshaw – Manchester220 – Manchester – Dukinfield – Stalybridge221 – Dukinfield – Audenshaw – Openshaw – Manchester230 – Ashton-under-Lyne – Droylsden – Piccadilly Gardens231 – Ashton-under-Lyne – Hurst – Droylsden – Piccadilly Gardens237 – Ashton – Stalybridge – Glossop330 – Ashton-under-Lyne – Dukinfield – Hyde – Woodley – Stockport336 – Ashton – Hazelhurst – Ashton Circular337 – Ashton – Hazelhurst – Ashton Circular346 – Hyde – Ashton347 – Ashton – Denton – Haughton Green Circular348 – Ashton – Stalybridge – Copley – Carrbrook350 – Ashton – Tameside Hospital – Uppermill – Oldham389 – Ashton – Stalybridge – Astley Circular
School buses:
Audenshaw School
721 – Audenshaw School – Dukinfield
Denton Community College
701 – Dane Bank -Denton Community College847 – Denton Community College – Haughton Green – Hyde
Fairfield High School
700 – Fairfield High School – Dane Bank747 – Haughton Green – Denton – Fairfield High School
Longdendale High School
817 – Stalybridge – Longdendale High School
St Damian’s RC College
864 – Droylsden – St Damian’s RC Science College870 – St Damian’s RC Science College – Mossley – Stalybridge
St Thomas More RC College
719 – Openshaw – St Thomas More RC CollegeTrafford
Bee Network buses:
X50 – Trafford Centre – Manchester11 – Altrincham – Gatley – Cheadle – Edgeley – Stockport15 – Flixton – Davyhulme – Urmston – Manchester23 – Stockport – Stretford – Urmston – The Trafford Centre25 – Stockport – Heaton Moor – Stretford – The Trafford Centre150 – Trafford Centre – Chorlton – Gorton245 – Trafford Centre – Stretford – Altrincham247 – Trafford Centre – Flixton – Altrincham248 – Eccles – Trafford Centre – Manchester Airport249 – Altrincham – Wythenshawe250 – Trafford Centre – Old Trafford – Manchester253 – Partington – Flixton – Urmston – Manchester255 – Manchester – Stretford – Urmston – Partington256 – Flixton – Stretford – Hulme – Manchester263 – Manchester – Hulme – Sale – Altrincham281 – Altrincham – Timperley – Sale – Sale west282 – Altrincham – Oldfield Brow circular283 – Altrincham – Hale – Warburton Green circular284 – Altrincham – Well Green – Warburton Green circular285 – Altrincham – Timperley circular286 – Altrincham – Timperley circular370 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport371 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport
School buses:
Altrincham College
737 – Sale – Timperley – Altrincham College738 – Sale – Brooklands – Altrincham College772 – Sale – Northern Moor – Altrincham College773 – Altrincham College – Hale776 – Ashton – Woodheys – Broadheath – Altrincham College
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys/Altrincham Grammar School for Girls/Loreto Grammar School
730 – Levenshulme – Withington – Burnage – East Didsbury – Altrincham Schools731 – Hazel Grove – Wythenshawe – Altrincham Schools734 – Moss Side – Altrincham Schools752 – Cheadle – Heald Green – Peel Hall – Altrincham Schools753 – Heaton Mersey – Heaton Chapel – Sharston – Altrincham Schools756 – Woodsend – Filxton – Urmston – Stretford – Altrincham Schools757 – Eccles – Davyhulme – Urmston – Stretford – Altrincham Schools
Blessed Thomas Holford College
789 – Lostock – Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College
Broadoak School
736 – Broadoak School – Ashton-on-Mersey
Flixton High School/Urmston Academy/Wellacre Academy
798 – Stretford – Flixton Girls School/Wellacre Academy799 – Boothstown – Umston Academy/Flixton Girls School/Wellacre Academy
Sale Grammar School
782 – Hale Barns – Timperley – Sale Grammar School783 – Bowdon Vale – Sale Grammar796 – Moss Side – East Didsbury – Sale Grammar
Sale High School
778 – Hulme – Firswood – Gorse Hill – Stretford – Sale High School
St Ambrose College
763 – Burnage – West Didsbury – St Ambrose College764 – Woodheys – Ashton on Mersey – Sale – St Ambrose College765 – Oldfield Brow – Broadheath – West Timperley – Timperley – St Ambrose College766 – Davyhulme – Urmston – Stretford – St Ambrose College768 (AM only) – Hazel Grove – Bramhall – Wythenshawe – St Ambrose College
St Antony’s RC High School
786 – Flixton – Woodsend – St Antony’s Roman Catholic School737 – Sale – Timperley – Altrincham College738 – Sale – Brooklands – Altrincham College772 – Sale – Northern Moor – Altrincham College773 – Altrincham College – Hale776 – Ashton – Woodheys – Broadheath – Altrincham CollegeBoltonBus services in Bolton are not affected.WiganBus services in Wigan are not affected.
More information can be found on the Bee Network website or by calling the Bee Network Contact Centre on 0161 244 1000.