The dates are on top of the three already announced for next week
14:25, 26 Sep 2025Updated 14:33, 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.”
TfGM, First and Stagecoach have also been approached for comment.
Full list of routes affected by strike action
Bury
- B3 – Bury – Ferngrove – Heywood – Norden
- 461 – Bury – Norden – Rochdale
- 467 – Bury – Bamford – Daniel Fold – Rochdale
- 468 – Bury – Bamford – Greave – Rochdale
- 469 – Bury – Tottington
School buses: All school bus services in Bury will operate.
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 (including 00.00 – 00.40am departures from Hazel Grove on Tuesday morning)
- 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
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 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
- 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
School buses:
- 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
- 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
*TfGM said the 406 will run once an hour on Monday only between 8.57am and 17.10.
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 Academy
- 456 – Wardle Academy – Low Hill – Rochdale
- 458 – Littleborough – Wardle Academy
- 458 – Wardle Academy – Littleborough – Stansfield
- 458 – Rochdale – Low Hill – Wardle Academy
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
- School buses: All school bus services in Salford will operate.
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
School buses:
- 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
- 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
School buses:
- 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
- Bee Network buses:
- 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
School buses:
- 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
- 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