The dates are on top of the three already announced for next week
14:25, 26 Sep 2025Updated 19:40, 26 Sep 2025
Bee Network buses will be hit by strike action(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Bus passengers are set for yet more disruption on the Bee Network as a dispute over pay rumbles on.
Unite the Union members employed by Stagecoach, Metroline and First Bus Rochdale are due to take further industrial action in October.
The three companies make up part of the Bee Network, under the franchising scheme introduced to Greater Manchester two years ago.
According to Unite, more than 2,000 workers will be taking part in the strike, affecting passengers across much of the region.
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The union held a four-day strike from last Friday (September 19) until Monday, while three more days of strike action were already announced to take place from next Tuesday, September 30, until Thursday, October 2.
Now, Unite has announced another six days of industrial action to take place on October 10, 11, 13, 18, 23 and 24.
Workers on the picket line in Oldham(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The union previously said next week’s strike dates were announced because the three companies involved ‘failed to come back to negotiations with an improved pay offer deemed acceptable to Unite members’.
Announcing the additional six dates, the union says there continues to be no deal struck between the parties.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our bus workers do a difficult job day in day out, but are left struggling with low pay while their employers line their pockets.
“Unite will not back down until our members are paid fairly. They have Unite’s full backing every step of the way.”
The latest strike dates announced coincide with several events taking place in Manchester – including Busted vs McFly on October 18 at AO Arena and Jason Manford at Co-op Live on October 24.
Unite claims that the companies who successfully bid for contracts to be part of the Bee Network ‘failed to account for adequate pay rises for their staff’.
Unite regional officer Colin Hayden said: “It is obvious to us the employers and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are proposing that frontline staff have to bear the brunt of their financial inadequacy. Questions need to be asked about why this was not highlighted and corrected during the tendering process.
Signs warning passengers during last week’s strike(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“There has also been a total disregard for the difficult jobs bus workers do all day throughout this dispute. These are frontline workers who deserve more.
“We appreciate these strikes are very disruptive to the general public but the employers and TfGM must change course and come back to the negotiating table with a fair offer.”
Unite previously said around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots for Stagecoach had 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 – had also turned down a 3.5 per cent pay offer.
Unite claims the offers are ‘unsatisfactory’ following ‘years of low pay’ and the ‘ongoing cost of living crisis’. The most recent rate of UK inflation was 3.8 per cent.
Meanwhile, 110 members at First Bus Rochdale rejected this year’s pay offer of six per cent, which Unite claims ‘does not go far enough to address the fact workers there have had years of being paid less than their counterparts at other companies and are the lowest paid in the region’.
A Metroline Manchester spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed in Unite’s decision to announce additional strike dates. We have worked closely with union representatives throughout this process to agree a pay deal.
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“We remain open and committed to finding resolution and have done our utmost to present an offer that meets their expectations. We improved our offer to an 8.8 per cent increase over two years, an offer which significantly exceeds inflation and would ensure that our drivers continue to be amongst the best paid in the country.
“We value our drivers and the work they do and want to avoid further industrial action which disrupts the everyday lives of our customers.”
Paul Townley, General Manager of First Bus in Rochdale, said: “We are disappointed not to have reached a final agreement and that strike action will resume next week from Tuesday 30 September-Thursday 1 October, with Unite announcing additional dates later in October.
“Constructive talks have been held with Unite and we hope to reach a resolution as soon as possible. The management team at First Bus in Rochdale continues to work hard to find solutions to help our valued drivers during these tough economic times.
“Customers are advised to check the Bee Network website and its social media for the latest information on services affected, including school trips.“We wish to avoid any further Industrial action. This is not the way forward and will be damaging to everyone, causing severe disruption to the daily lives of our customers who rely on the bus to get to work, education and for appointments.”
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM asaid: “We understand that the three Bee Network operators involved have been notified of further strike dates in October.
“We’re continuing to do all we can to keep Greater Manchester moving on industrial action days, and next week people can once again use their bus tickets and passes to travel on trams and trains.
“I urge everyone to plan their journey in advance, allow extra time and expect other services to be busier than normal, particularly during the morning and afternoon ‘rush hours’.
“The bus operators involved – Stagecoach, Metroline and First – are responsible for the pay and conditions of their staff. We’re doing all that we can to get them to an agreement, with the aim of averting further strikes that cause disruption for passengers.”
Stagecoach have also been approached for comment.
Full list of routes affected by strike action
Bury
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
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 School727 – Gorton – Ryder Brow – Levenshulme – Barlow RC High SchoolBurnage Academy728 (AM only) – Gorton – Ryder Brow – Levenshulme – Burnage Academy749 – Moss Side – Longsight – Levenshulme – Burnage Academy751 – Burnage Academy – Manchester City Centre797 – Burnage Academy – Manchester PiccadillyCo-op Failsworth76 – Co-op Failsworth – ManchesterLevenshulme High School171 – Gorton Tesco – Levenshulme High School727 – Levenshulme High School – Ryder Brow – Gorton – Hyde RoadLoreto College86 – Chorlton – Manchester, PM extras from Loreto College742 – Burnage – Levenshulme – Loreto College743 – Heald Green – Gatley – Northenden – Didsbury – Loreto CollegeLoreto High School720 – Hulme – Moss Side – Loreto High SchoolTrinity High School724 – New Moston – Moston – Newton Heath – Trinity High School725 – Ryder Brow – Trinity High SchoolWhalley Range High School150 – Gorton – Whalley RangeWright Robinson College150 – 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 – Levenshulme
Oldham
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 House402 – Oldham – Royton – Crompton House School435 – Crompton House – Rochdale436 – Rochdale – Crompton House School436 – Crompton House School – Milnrow442 – Norden – RochdaleNorth Chadderton High School402 – Shaw – Royton – North Chadderton SchoolRoyton & Crompton High School402 – High Crompton – Royton Middleton Rd (Royton & Crompton High School)Saddleworth High School184 – Saddleworth High School – Oldham
Rochdale
17/17A/17B – Rochdale – Middleton – Blackley – Manchester125 – Middleton – Birch – Heywood129 – Middleton – Hollins – Stanycliffe – Boarshaw circular156 – Middleton – NMGH – Manchester City Centre406 – Rochdale – Kirkholt Circular*409 – 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
*TfGM said the 406 will run once an hour on Monday only between 8.57am and 17.10.
School buses:
Holy Family College433 – Norden – Bamford – Holy Family RC CE CollegeKingsway Park434 – Rochdale – Kingsway Park High SchoolNewhouse Academy125 – Wilton Arms – Newhouse AcademySt Cuthberts RC High447 – Healy Corner – Rochdale – St Cuthberts RC HighWardle Academy456 – Stansfield – Littleborough – Wardle Academy456 – Wardle Academy – Low Hill – Rochdale458 – Littleborough – Wardle Academy458 – Wardle Academy – Littleborough – Stansfield458 – Rochdale – Low Hill – Wardle Academy
Salford
38 – Logistics Nth – Walkden – Swinton – Manchester50 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays51 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays248 – Eccles – Trafford Centre – Manchester AirportSchool buses: All school bus services in Salford will operate.
Stockport
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 College792 – Heaviley – Heaton MoorBramhall High School852 – Cheadle Heath – Davenport – Bramhall High School855 – Adswood – Davenport – Bramhall High School877 – Stockport – Cheadle – Cheadle Hulme – Bramhall High SchoolCheadle PC Infants and Juniors818 – Cheadle – Gatley – Cheadle Catholic Primary SchoolCheadle Hulme High School856 – Heald Green – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School863 – Stockport – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High SchoolHarrytown RC High School819 – Harrytown High School – Greave – Mellor843 (AM only) – Hazel Grove- Harrytown High School845 – Stockport – Offerton – Harrytown High School854 – Brinnington – Greave – Harrytown High SchoolHazel Grove High School374 – 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 SchoolKingsway School758 – Heald Green – Kingsway School812 – Stockport – Cheadle – St James’ RC High SchoolLaurus Cheadle Hulme856 – Heald Green – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School863 – Stockport – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School866 – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Bridge Hall – StockportMarple Hall School802 – Hazel Grove – Mellor – Marple Hall School808 – Lane Ends – Marple Hall844 – Stockport – Bosden Farm – Marple HallSt James’ RC High School758 – 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 School
Tameside
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 School721 – Audenshaw School – DukinfieldDenton Community College701 – Dane Bank -Denton Community College847 – Denton Community College – Haughton Green – HydeFairfield High School700 – Fairfield High School – Dane Bank747 – Haughton Green – Denton – Fairfield High SchoolLongdendale High School817 – Stalybridge – Longdendale High SchoolSt Damian’s RC College864 – Droylsden – St Damian’s RC Science College870 – St Damian’s RC Science College – Mossley – StalybridgeSt Thomas More RC College719 – Openshaw – St Thomas More RC College
Trafford
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 College737 – Sale – Timperley – Altrincham College738 – Sale – Brooklands – Altrincham College772 – Sale – Northern Moor – Altrincham College773 – Altrincham College – Hale776 – Ashton – Woodheys – Broadheath – Altrincham CollegeAltrincham Grammar School for Boys/Altrincham Grammar School for Girls/Loreto Grammar School730 – 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 SchoolsBlessed Thomas Holford College789 – Lostock – Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic CollegeBroadoak School736 – Broadoak School – Ashton-on-MerseyFlixton High School/Urmston Academy/Wellacre Academy798 – Stretford – Flixton Girls School/Wellacre Academy799 – Boothstown – Umston Academy/Flixton Girls School/Wellacre AcademySale Grammar School782 – Hale Barns – Timperley – Sale Grammar School783 – Bowdon Vale – Sale Grammar796 – Moss Side – East Didsbury – Sale GrammarSale High School778 – Hulme – Firswood – Gorse Hill – Stretford – Sale High SchoolSt Ambrose College763 – 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 CollegeSt Antony’s RC High School786 – 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 College