Dear parents and carers

We have been sent the below information about the upcoming bus strikes by Transport for Greater Manchester. 

The 708 school bus service will still operate as normal. However, some local bus services will not be running. Please ensure you check and, if your child will be affected, you make alternative plans for their journey to/from school.

Bus passengers are being urged to plan their journey ahead of industrial action expected to take place Friday 19 – Monday 22 September by some operator staff in Greater Manchester. You can find out more from the press release HERE.

Bolton and Wigan services are unaffected, but those operated by Stagecoach, Metroline and First – accounting for around two-thirds of Bee Network buses across the rest of Greater Manchester – will not run, including some school buses.

Bus passengers with seven, 28-day or annual 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.

Those who can are encouraged to travel outside the busiest peak times, with passengers encouraged to check ahead of travelling and leave more time for their journey. Roads may also be busier, whilst demand for hire bikes is also expected to rise. As many staff as possible will be at key locations, such as interchanges, to help bus passengers get around, with TfGM extending the opening hours of its contact centre to ensure people can get in touch with any questions.  

Full details of services that are not expected to run, where people can use existing tickets and other travel advice can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website at: www.beenetwork.com/bus-industrial-action.

If you have queries, please contact our Bee Network Customer Call Centre on: 0161 244 1000

Yours sincerely

Co-op Academy Manchester