Bus Strike in Manchester Suspended as Pay Talks Progress
Passengers across Greater Manchester can breathe a sigh of relief this week, as planned bus strikes on the Bee Network have been suspended following fresh pay proposals.
Initially, 2,000 Unite union members had threatened to walk out in a second wave of industrial action, scheduled from Tuesday, 30 September, to Thursday, 2 October.
Some Bee Network bus strikes are suspended.
Most bus services in Greater Manchester will run as normal this week, as unions have called off strikes that had been planned to start on Tuesday [30 September].
Further discussions will take place with operators today and more… pic.twitter.com/S9dhNgUQ00
— Bee Network (@BeeNetwork) September 29, 2025
The dispute centred around pay concerns affecting staff at major operators, including First, Stagecoach, and Metroline.
However, negotiations over the weekend have seen two of the three bus operators put forward revised offers to the union. Metroline is expected to provide an update on Monday, 29 September.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) confirmed the progress: “It follows intensive work across the weekend, with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Mayor of Greater Manchester doing everything in their power to bring the negotiations between bus operators and union colleagues to a fair resolution.”
Passengers have been urged to remain vigilant, as Metroline’s decision is pending. TfGM advises checking the Bee Network website before travelling to stay informed of any last-minute updates.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham commented on the development: “We’ve been working throughout the weekend, doing everything in our power to bring the negotiations between bus operators and union colleagues to a fair resolution.
This is positive progress, and we’re pleased that union colleagues have now agreed to suspend strike action to ballot their members.
We encourage staff at Metroline to do the same, in turn averting any strike action taking place this week. I have been clear that we support the aims of the unions, and bus drivers deserve a better deal.
But it has to be delivered in a way that’s affordable and sustainable for the Bee Network. We’re hopeful that agreements can be reached between operators and unions to conclude the pay negotiations.”
Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, also weighed in: “We are pleased that planned industrial action has been suspended by First and Stagecoach staff, and that their services will run as normal.
We’re hopeful that the same approach will be agreed with staff at Metroline tomorrow, averting any industrial action taking place this week.
Any updates about bus services will be available on the Bee Network website and social media channels.
We’re still encouraging everyone to check the latest status of their service before they travel this week, leave plenty of time for their journey, and to get in touch if they have any questions.”
With the brewing trouble of dislocation now temporarily lifted, commuters are advised to stay streamlined via sanctioned channels.
While a strike has been laid over, addresses remain ongoing, and a final resolution is yet to be verified.
