Credit: TfGM
There is set to be serious disruption to bus services in Greater Manchester as strikes are set to take place for four days. Over 2,000 Unite members, including Bee Network bus drivers, are set to walk out in a coordinated strike. The workers are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester and First Bus Rochdale – firms which are among those that make up the bus part of the Bee Network.
At Stagecoach, around 1,000 drivers based across the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots have rejected a pay offer of 3.5%, and 1,000 Metroline Manchester members at Sharston, Hyde Road, Ashton and Wythenshawe depots will walk out after turning down an “unsatisfactory below inflation pay offer” of 3.5%. Staff at both Metroline and Stagecoach believe the offer “doesn’t address years of low pay, especially given the ongoing cost of living crisis.”
Of course, these bus strikes are set to cause a fair bit of chaos, so we’ve put together a guide to the best way to get around Greater Manchester.
Credit: TfGM Bus strikes in Greater Manchester: dates and impact
The bus strikes will start on Friday 19th September and end on Monday 22nd September, as Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester, and First Bus Rochdale staff walk out in disputes over pay.
Mancunians should expect no service on some bus routes from September 19 to September 22, strikes affecting some late-night bus services in Greater Manchester on Thursday 18 September and very early morning services on Tuesday 23 September.
There are also set to be more bus strikes in Greater Manchester in the coming weeks, as workers have voted to take additional strike action from September 30 to October 2 on top of walkouts starting this week.
Credit: TfGM Greater Manchester bus routes impacted by the strikes
The following bus routes will not operate on strike days:
Bury
- 433 – Bury – Ferngrove – Heywood – Norden
- 461 – Bury – Norden – Rochdale
- 467 – Bury – Bamford – Daniel Fold – Rochdale
- 468 – Bury – Bamford – Greave – Rochdale
- 469 – Bury – Tottington
Manchester
- 7 – Ashton-under-Lyne – Reddish – Heaton Chapel – Stockport
- 11 – Altrincham – Gatley – Cheadle – Edgeley – Stockport
- 15 – Flixton – Davyhulme – Urmston – Manchester
- 17 – Manchester – Blackley – Middleton – Rochdale
- 17/17A/17B – Rochdale – Stakehill – Middleton – Manchester
- 18 – Langley – Middleton – Manchester – Manchester Royal Infirmary
- 23 – Trafford Centre – Didsbury – Stockport
- 25 – Stockport – Chorlton – Trafford Centre
- 38 – Logistics Nth – Walkden – Swinton – Manchester
- 42 – Manchester – Rusholme – East Didsbury – Stockport
- 42A – Reddish – East Didsbury – Rusholme – Manchester
- 42B – Woodford – Bramhall – East Didsbury – Manchester
- 42C – Handforth – Cheadle – East Didsbury – Manchester
- 43 – Manchester – Wythenshawe – Manchester Airport
- 50 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays
- 51 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays
- 56 – Manchester – North Manchester General Hospital – Manchester Circular
- 59 – Oldham – Middleton – Manchester
- 76- Manchester – Failsworth – Limeside – Oldham
- 76A – Manchester – Oldham
- 76B – Manchester – Newton Heath – Woodhouses
- 81 – Manchester – Moston – Oldham
- 83 – Manchester – Hollinwood – Oldham – Sholver
- 84 – Uppermill – Oldham – Manchester
- 85 – Chorlton – Alexandra Park – Manchester
- 85A – Manchester – Alexandra Park – Chorlton
- 86 – Manchester – Brooks’s Bar – Chorlton
- 86N – Manchester – Chorlton
- 101 – Manchester – Northenden – Baguley – Wythenshawe
- 102 – Southern Cemetery – Manchester
- 103 – Manchester Airport – Wythenshawe – Manchester
- 111 – Southern Cemetery – Withington – Manchester
- 112 – Middleton – Moston – Collyhurst – Manchester
- 113 – Middleton – Moston – Collyhurst – Manchester
- 114 – Manchester – Collyhurst – Moston – Alkrington
- 115 – Middleton – Moston Circular
- 116 – Middleton – Moston Circular
- 117 – Manchester – Moston – Greengate
- 118 – Manchester – Moston – North Manchester General Hospital
- 119 – Higher Blackley – Moston – Manchester
- 142 – Manchester – University – East Didsbury
- 143 – West Didsbury – Rusholme – University – Manchester
- 147 – Piccadilly Rail Station – West Didsbury
- 150 – Trafford Centre – Chorlton – Gorton
- 156 – Manchester – North Manchester General Hospital – Higher Blackley – Middleton
- 171 – Newton Heath – Gorton – East Didsbury
- 172 – Southern Cemetery – Gorton – Newton Heath
- 181 – Shaw – Chadderton – Moston – Manchester
- 182 – Manchester – Chadderton – Shaw
- 191 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
- 192 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
- 192 – Stepping Hill – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
- 197 – Manchester – Longsight – Green End – Stockport
- 201 – Hattersley – Hyde – Denton – Manchester
- 202 – Gee Cross – Hyde – Haughton Green – Manchester
- 203 – Stockport – Reddish – Belle Vue – Manchester
- 205 – Manchester – West Gorton – Dane Bank
- 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 – Manchester – Littlemoss – Ashton
- 231 – Manchester – Clayton – Droylsden – Ashton
- 248 – Eccles – Trafford Park – Sale – Manchester Airport
- 249 – Altrincham – Wythenshawe
- 250 – Trafford Centre – Old Trafford – Manchester
- 253 – Partington – Flixton – Urmston – Manchester
- 255 – Manchester – Stretford – Urmston – Partington
- 256 – Flixton – Stretford – Hulme – Manchester
- 263 – Manchester – Hulme – Sale – Altrincham
- 313 – Manchester Airport – Cheadle Hulme – Adswood – Stockport
- 368 – Wythenshawe – Stockport
- X50 – Trafford Centre – Manchester
- X92 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
Oldham
- 57 – Oldham – Rushcroft Circular
- 59 – Oldham – Middleton – Manchester
- 76 – Manchester – Failsworth – Limeside – Oldham
- 76A – Manchester – Oldham
- 76B – Manchester – Newton Heath – Woodhouses
- 81 – Manchester – Moston – Oldham
- 82 – Oldham – Sholver
- 83 – Manchester – Hollinwood – Oldham – Sholver
- 84 – Uppermill – Oldham – Manchester
- 129 – Middleton – Hollin – Boarshaw circular
- 180 – Oldham – Lees – Greenfield
- 181 – Shaw – Chadderton – Moston – Manchester
- 182 – Manchester – Chadderton – Shaw
- 183 – Royal Oldham Hospital – Oldham – Limeside
- 184 – Oldham – Diggle – Huddersfield
- 350 – Ashton – Tameside Hospital – Uppermill – Oldham
- 402 – Buckstones – Oldham
- 403 – Oldham – Shaw – Buckstones – High Crompton Circular
- 409 – Rochdale – Royton – Oldham – Ashton
- 411 – Oldham – Derker Circular
- 415 – Oldham – Middleton
- 425 – Oldham – Alt – Holts Circular
- 426 – Oldham – Fitton Hill Circular
Rochdale
- 17/17A/17B – Rochdale – Middleton – Blackley – Manchester
- 125 – Middleton – Birch – Heywood
- 129 – Middleton – Hollins – Stanycliffe – Boarshaw circular
- 156 – Middleton – NMGH – Manchester City Centre
- 406 – Rochdale – Kirkholt Circular
- 409 – Rochdale – Royton – Oldham – Ashton
- 434 – Rochdale – Castleton – Middleton
- 435/436 – Rochdale – Milnrow – Buckstones – High Crompton – Rochdale
- 437 – Rochdale – Lane Head
- 440 – Rochdale – Rochdale Infirmary – Syke
- 442 – Rochdale – Bamford – Norden
- 447 – Rochdale – Wallbank
- 450 – Peppermint Bridge – Rochdale
- 451 – Rochdale – Peppermint Bridge – Rochdale
- 455 – Rochdale – Milnrow – Littleborough – Stansfield
- 456 – Littleborough – Rochdale
- 457 – Littleborough – Shore – Rochdale
- 458 – Rochdale – Littleborough
- 461 – Rochdale – Shawfield Circular
- 467 – Rochdale – Daniel Fold – Bamford – Bury
- 468 – Rochdale – Cutgate – Bamford – Jericho – Bury
Salford
- 38 – Logistics Nth – Walkden – Swinton – Manchester
- 50 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays
- 51 – East Didsbury – Manchester – Salford Quays
- 248 – Eccles – Trafford Centre – Manchester Airport
Stockport
- 7 – Stockport – Reddish – Droylsden – Ashton
- 11 – Altrincham – Wythenshawe – Cheadle – Stockport
- 23 – Trafford Centre – Didsbury – Stockport
- 25 – Stockport – Chorlton – Trafford Centre
- 42 – Manchester – Rusholme – East Didsbury – Stockport
- 42A – Reddish – East Didsbury – Rusholme – Manchester
- 42B – Woodford – Bramhall – East Didsbury – Manchester
- 42C – Handforth – Cheadle – East Didsbury – Manchester
- X92 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
- 191 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
- 192 – Hazel Grove – Stockport – Manchester
- 197 – Manchester – Longsight – Green End – Stockport
- 203 – Stockport – Reddish – Belle Vue – Manchester
- 312 – Stockport – Bridge Hall – Cheadle
- 313 – Stockport – Manchester Airport – Cheadle Hulme Circular
- 314 – Stockport – Offerton Estate – Stockport Circular
- 322 – Haughton Green – Brinnington – Stockport
- 325 – Stockport – Portwood – Brinnington Circular
- 327 – Stockport – Portwood – Brinnington – Denton
- 330 – Stockport – Hyde – Ashton
- 358 – Stockport – Marple – New Mills – Hayfield
- 360 – Stockport – Hazel Grove – Hayfield
- 368 – Wythenshawe – Stockport
- 370 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport
- 371 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport
- 374 – Stockport – Hazel Grove Circular
- 378/378A/379 – Stockport – Cheadle Hulme – Heald Green Circular
- 382 – Stockport – Bredbury – Romiley – Woodley
- 383 – Stockport – Marple – Romiley Circular
- 384 – Stockport – Bredbury – Romiley – Marple Circular
Tameside
- 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
Trafford
- X50 – Trafford Centre – Manchester
- 11 – Altrincham – Gatley – Cheadle – Edgeley – Stockport
- 15 – Flixton – Davyhulme – Urmston – Manchester
- 23 – Stockport – Stretford – Urmston – The Trafford Centre
- 25 – Stockport – Heaton Moor – Stretford – The Trafford Centre
- 150 – Trafford Centre – Chorlton – Gorton
- 245 – Trafford Centre – Stretford – Altrincham
- 247 – Trafford Centre – Flixton – Altrincham
- 248 – Eccles – Trafford Centre – Manchester Airport
- 249 – Altrincham – Wythenshawe
- 250 – Trafford Centre – Old Trafford – Manchester
- 253 – Partington – Flixton – Urmston – Manchester
- 255 – Manchester – Stretford – Urmston – Partington
- 256 – Flixton – Stretford – Hulme – Manchester
- 263 – Manchester – Hulme – Sale – Altrincham
- 281 – Altrincham – Timperley – Sale – Sale west
- 282 – Altrincham – Oldfield Brow circular
- 283 – Altrincham – Hale – Warburton Green circular
- 284 – Altrincham – Well Green – Warburton Green circular
- 285 – Altrincham – Timperley circular
- 286 – Altrincham – Timperley circular
- 370 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport
- 371 – Altrincham – Sharston – Cheadle – Stockport
You can find more information on your bus route on the Bee Network website.
Credit: TfGM Which school bus services in Greater Manchester will be affected by the strikes?
Some school bus services will be affected:
Manchester
Barlow RC High School
- 727 – Gorton – Ryder Brow – Levenshulme – Barlow RC High School
Burnage Academy
- 728 (AM only) – Gorton – Ryder Brow – Levenshulme – Burnage Academy
- 749 – Moss Side – Longsight – Levenshulme – Burnage Academy
- 751 – Burnage Academy – Manchester City Centre
- 797 – Burnage Academy – Manchester Piccadilly
Co-op Failsworth
- 76 – Co-op Failsworth – Manchester
Levenshulme High School
- 171 – Gorton Tesco – Levenshulme High School
- 727 – Levenshulme High School – Ryder Brow – Gorton – Hyde Road
Loreto College
- 86 – Chorlton – Manchester, PM extras from Loreto College
- 742 – Burnage – Levenshulme – Loreto College
- 743 – 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 School
- 725 – Ryder Brow – Trinity High School
Whalley Range High School
- 150 – Gorton – Whalley Range
Wright Robinson College
- 150 – Trafford Centre – Whalley Range – Gorton – Wright Robinson
- 172 – Levenshulme – Wright Robinson
- 703 – Monsall – Miles Platting – Clayton – Wright Robinson College
- 704 – Harpurhey – Wright Robinson College
- 706 – Wright Robinson College – Ryder Brow – Levenshulme
Oldham
Crompton House
- 402 – Oldham – Royton – Crompton House School
- 435 – Crompton House – Rochdale
- 436 – Rochdale – Crompton House School
- 436 – Crompton House School – Milnrow
- 442 – 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 – Oldham
Rochdale
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 Academy
- 456 – Wardle Academy – Low Hill – Rochdale
- 458 – Littleborough – Wardle Academy
- 458 – Wardle Academy – Littleborough – Stansfield
- 458 – Rochdale – Low Hill – Wardle Academy
Stockport
Aquinas College
- 792 – Heaviley – Heaton Moor
Bramhall High School
- 852 – Cheadle Heath – Davenport – Bramhall High School
- 855 – Adswood – Davenport – Bramhall High School
- 877 – 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 School
- 863 – Stockport – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School
Harrytown RC High School
- 819 – Harrytown High School – Greave – Mellor
- 843 (AM only) – Hazel Grove- Harrytown High School
- 845 – Stockport – Offerton – Harrytown High School
- 854 – Brinnington – Greave – Harrytown High School
Hazel Grove High School
- 374 – Stockport – Hazel Grove High School
- 827 – Heaviley – Chepstow Drive – Hazel Grove High School
- 834 – Bosden Farm – High Lane – Hazel Grove High School
- 858 – Hall Street – Bosden Farm – Hazel Grove High School
- 874 – Cheadle Heath – Davenport – Hazel Grove High School
Kingsway School
- 758 – Heald Green – Kingsway School
- 812 – Stockport – Cheadle – St James’ RC High School
Laurus Cheadle Hulme
- 856 – Heald Green – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School
- 863 – Stockport – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Cheadle Hulme High School
- 866 – Laurus Cheadle Hulme – Bridge Hall – Stockport
Marple Hall School
- 802 – Hazel Grove – Mellor – Marple Hall School
- 808 – Lane Ends – Marple Hall
- 844 – 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 School
- 812 – Stockport – Cheadle – St James’ RC High School
- 815 – Heaviley – Bramhall – St James’ Catholic High School
- 857 – Shaw Heath – Cheadle Hulme – St James’ Catholic High School
Tameside
Audenshaw School
- 721 – Audenshaw School – Dukinfield
Denton Community College
- 701 – Dane Bank -Denton Community College
- 847 – Denton Community College – Haughton Green – Hyde
Fairfield High School
- 700 – Fairfield High School – Dane Bank
- 747 – 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 College
- 870 – St Damian’s RC Science College – Mossley – Stalybridge
St Thomas More RC College
- 719 – Openshaw – St Thomas More RC College
Trafford
Altrincham College
- 737 – Sale – Timperley – Altrincham College
- 738 – Sale – Brooklands – Altrincham College
- 772 – Sale – Northern Moor – Altrincham College
- 773 – Altrincham College – Hale
- 776 – 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 Schools
- 731 – Hazel Grove – Wythenshawe – Altrincham Schools
- 734 – Moss Side – Altrincham Schools
- 752 – Cheadle – Heald Green – Peel Hall – Altrincham Schools
- 753 – Heaton Mersey – Heaton Chapel – Sharston – Altrincham Schools
- 756 – Woodsend – Filxton – Urmston – Stretford – Altrincham Schools
- 757 – 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 Academy
- 799 – Boothstown – Umston Academy/Flixton Girls School/Wellacre Academy
Sale Grammar School
- 782 – Hale Barns – Timperley – Sale Grammar School
- 783 – Bowdon Vale – Sale Grammar
- 796 – 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 College
- 764 – Woodheys – Ashton on Mersey – Sale – St Ambrose College
- 765 – Oldfield Brow – Broadheath – West Timperley – Timperley – St Ambrose College
- 766 – Davyhulme – Urmston – Stretford – St Ambrose College
- 768 (AM only) – Hazel Grove – Bramhall – Wythenshawe – St Ambrose College
St Antony’s RC High School
- 786 – Flixton – Woodsend – St Antony’s Roman Catholic School
Credit: TfGM Which bus services will run on Friday 19th September?
- 17 – 12:04am, 12:34am, 12:42am, 1:34am, 1:42am, 2:34am, 2:42am, 3:34am and 3:42am.
- 18 – 12:07am
- 23 – 12:03am
- 43 – 12am, 12:05am, 12:30am, 12:35am, 1am, 1:05am, 1:30am, 1:35am, 2am, 2:05am, 2:30am, 2:35am, 3am, 3:05am, 3:30am, 3:35am 4am, 4:05am, 4:30am and 5am
- 50 (inbound) – 12:10am
- 50 (outbound) 12:10am
- 52 – 12:05am
- 59 – 12:10am and 12:17am
- 83 – 12:05am
- 84 – 12:20am
- 85 – 12:12am
- 86 – 12:04am
- 97 – 12:05am
- 100 – 12:10am
- 101 – 12:20am
- 103 – 12:02am, 12:06am, 2:50am and 3:50am
- 112 – 1am
- 135 – 12:15am, 12:25am, 1:15am, 1:25am, 2:15am, 2:25am and 3:15am
- 142 (inbound) – 12:31am, 12:31am, 1:01am, 1:31am, 2:01am, 2:31am and 3:01am
- 142 (outbound) – 12:19am, 12:19am, 12:49am, 1:19am, 1:49am, 2:19am, 2:49am and 3:19am
- 143 – 12:10am
- 192 – 12am, 12:05am, 12:10am, 12:20am, 12:30am, 12:35am, 12:40am, 12:50, 1:05am, 1:20am, 1:35am, 1:55am, 2:10am and 2:25am
- 216 – 12:16am
- 219 – 11:51pm (Thursday)
- 237 – 11:35pm (Thursday)
- 250 – 12:10am
- 256 – 12:30am
- 314 – 12:15am
- 325 – 12:25am
- 330 – 12:15am and 12:30am
- 347 – 12:02am and 12:30am
- 358 – 12am
- 368 – 12:15am
- 409 – 12am, 12:20am and 12:40am
Which services will not run on Tuesday 23rd September?
- 17 – 12:34am
- 18 – 12:07am
- 23 – 12:03am
- 43 – 12am, 12:05am, 12:30am, 12:35am, 1am, 1:05am, 1:30am, 1:35am, 2am, 2:05am, 2:30am, 2:35am, 3am, 3:05am, 3:30am, 3:35am 4am, 4:05am, 4:30am and 5am
- 50 (inbound) – 12:10am
- 50 (outbound) 12:10am
- 59 – 12:07am and 12:17am
- 83 – 12:05am
- 84 – 12:20am
- 85 – 12:12am
- 86 – 12:04am
- 101 – 12:20am
- 103 – 12:02am, 12:06am, 2:50am and 3:50am
- 112 – 1am
- 142 (inbound) – 12:31am, 12:31am, 1:01am, 1:31am, 2:01am, 2:31am and 3:01am
- 142 (outbound) – 12:19am, 12:19am, 12:49am, 1:19am, 1:49am, 2:19am, 2:49am and 3:19am
- 143 – 12:10am
- 192 – 12am, 12:05am, 12:10am, 12:20am, 12:30am and 12:40am
- 216 – 12:16am
- 250 – 12:10am
- 256 – 12:30am
- 314 – 12:15am
- 325 – 12:25am
- 330 – 12:15am and 12:30am
- 347 – 12:02am and 12:30am
- 358 – 12am
- 368 – 12:15am
- 409 – 12:20am and 12:40am
Which Greater Manchester bus routes will not be affected by the strikes?
Bolton and Wigan bus services will still operate, as well as some routes in North Manchester and the free bus in Manchester city centre. Local Link and Ring and Ride services will also operate as usual.
Credit: Shutterstock Getting around Manchester during the bus strikes and alternative routes Tram
Trams across Greater Manchester are not affected by the bus strikes and will operate on the disrupted days; however, services will be busier than normal.
If you are able to, consider travelling outside the busiest peak times (7am-9am and 4pm-6pm) and allow extra time for your journeys.
From Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 September, drainage and track renewal works will take place at Derker – no tram services will operate between Freehold and Rochdale Town Centre during this time. A bus replacement service will operate between the affected stops.
Train
Trains are not affected by the bus strikes across Greater Manchester and will operate on the disrupted days; however, services will be busier than normal.
Similarly, if you are able to, consider travelling outside the busiest peak times (7am-9am and 4pm-6pm) and allow extra time for your journeys.
Engineering work is taking place between Romiley and Rose Hill Marple/New Mills Central, closing all lines on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.
Buses will replace trains between:
- Manchester Piccadilly and Rose Hill Marple (Saturday only)
- Manchester Piccadilly and Chinley
As part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade Improvement Work at Huddersfield, trains will not run between Stalybridge and Mirfield, and will be diverted via Brighouse. Services will also not call at Mossley or Greenfield Station until Sunday 28th September.
TransPennine Express services across the railway network will be subject to amendments for the duration of the works.
Replacement bus services will run between:
- Guide Bridge and Huddersfield (Sunday only)
- Huddersfield and Brighouse
- Manchester Airport and Brighouse (not Sunday)
- Stalybridge and Huddersfield
- Wakefield Kirkgate and Huddersfield.
Photo: TfGM Can I use my bus ticket for other modes of transport during the strikes?
If you have a bus ticket or concessionary pass, you can use it to travel on the Metrolink during the impacted period (Friday to Monday).
This includes:
- Concessionary passes, including Our Pass and ENCTS cards
- Any bus tickets loaded to a smart card
- Bus tickets purchased on the Bee Network app
This includes all zones of the Metrolink at any time. You do need to show you have a concessionary pass or ticket, so please present your bus ticket or pass to the inspector on the tram when asked.
If you have a bus ticket or concessionary pass, you can use it to travel on certain Northern Rail and TransPennine Express trains (see below) during the impacted period (Friday to Monday).
This includes:
- All bus (and bus & tram) period tickets (7-day, 28-day, Term, Annual on the Bee Network app or loaded onto a smart card).
- Concessionary passes ,including Our Pass and Care Leaver
- TfGM Issued Older persons passes (those without Add Tram & Train) will be accepted on these services after 9.30am (Mon & Fri) and all day Saturday and Sunday.
- TfGM Issued Older persons passes with Add Tram & Train will continue to have access to the whole GM rail network after 9.30am Mon & Fri and all day Saturday and Sunday.
- Customers with a TfGM-issued disabled persons pass will continue to be able to travel for free on the whole GM rail network after 9.30am on Friday, all day Saturday/Sunday and after 9.30am on Monday (19-22 Sept). Before 9.30am on Friday and Monday, customers will be able to purchase a concessionary rail fare.
- Customers with a TfGM-issued disabled persons plus pass will continue to be able to travel for free on the whole GM rail network at any time on the above dates.
Tickets and passes will be accepted on the following Northern Rail services:
- Airport line to Manchester Piccadilly: including Manchester Airport, Heald Green, Gatley, East Didsbury, Burnage, Mauldeth Road, Manchester Piccadilly
- Bramhall to Manchester Piccadilly: including Bramhall, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly
- Littleborough to Manchester Victoria: including Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Castleton, Mills Hill, Moston and Manchester Victoria
- Flixton to Manchester Oxford Rd: including Flixton, Chassen Road, Urmston, Humphrey Park, Trafford Park, Deansgate, Manchester Oxford Rd
- Hadfield/Glossop to Manchester Piccadilly: including Hadfield, Glossop, Dinting, Broadbottom, Hattersley, Godley, Newton for Hyde, Flowery Fields, Guide Bridge, Fairfield, Gorton, Ashburys, Ardwick, Manchester Piccadilly
- Hale to Manchester Piccadilly: including Hale, Altrincham, Navigation Road, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly
- Hazel Grove to Manchester Piccadilly: including Hazel Grove, Woodsmoor, Davenport, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Levenshulme, Manchester Piccadilly
- Marple to Manchester Piccadilly via Bredbury/Romiley: including Marple, Romiley, Bredbury, Brinnington, Reddish North, Ryder Brow, Belle Vue, Ashburys, Ardwick, Manchester Piccadilly
- Rose Hill to Manchester Piccadilly via Hyde: including Rose Hill, Romily, Woodley, Hyde Central, Hyde North, Guide Bridge, Fairfield, Gorton, Ashbury’s, Ardwick, Manchester Piccadilly
- Stalybridge to Manchester Piccadilly: including Stalybridge, Guide Bridge, Fairfield, Gorton, Ashbury’s, Ardwick, Manchester Piccadilly
Tickets and passes will be accepted on the following TransPennine Express services:
- Greenfield to Piccadilly: Greenfield, Mossley, Stalybridge (please note a bus replacement service will be operating from Greenfield and Mossley stations to Stalybridge)
Which events will be affected by the bus strikes across Greater Manchester? 
Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images
If you are heading to an event over the disrupted weekend, make sure to plan ahead, and allow plenty of time to make your journey as tram, train, roads, and cycle hire will be busier than normal.
If you are attending the Manchester United home fixture and usually travel on the post-match shuttle bus, this service will not operate on Saturday 20th September.
The below major events will be impacted by the industrial action:
Friday 19th September
- Peter Kay at AO Arena – 6:30pm
- Tom Grennan at Co-op Live – 6:30pm
- Salford Red Devils v Wakefield Trinity – 8pm kick-off
Saturday 20th September
- Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic – 12.30pm kick-off
- Salford City v Swindon Town – 3pm kick-off
- Manchester United v Chelsea – 5.30pm kick-off
- Lewis Capaldi at Co-op Live – 7:30pm
- Fisher at Mayfield Depot – 8pm
Sunday 21st September
- Manchester United Women v Arsenal – 2:50pm kick-off
- Lewis Capaldi at Co-op Live – 7:30pm
What other bus strikes are planned?
Workers have voted to take additional strike action from September 30 to October 2 on top of walkouts starting this week, after Stagecoach, Metroline, and First “failed to come back to negotiations with an improved pay offer deemed acceptable to Unite members”, according to Unite.