Bus strikes which were due to affect the Bee Network this weekend have been called off.

Drivers from Stagecoach and Metroline - operators which run services on behalf of the Bee Network - had planned to strike on 10, 11 and 13 October.

However, industrial action for those dates has been called off while Unite the Union ballots its drivers on a new pay offer from the operators.

The decision was taken yesterday evening (Thursday 9 October), so there may still be some disruption for passengers this morning.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Mayor of Greater Manchester say they have been doing "everything in their power" to bring negotiations between bus operators and staff to a fair resolution.

Bus operators Stagecoach and Metroline run routes in Stockport and Greater Manchester on behalf of the Bee Network (Image - Nub News)

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said: "Bus drivers are critical to the success of the Bee Network and we value what they do to keep Greater Manchester moving.

"We've been working hard to get to this point and are pleased Unite has called off this weekend's strikes. We are hopeful that an agreement between operators and the union can be reached quickly to avoid further action.

"It's important that both our passengers and the people who work on the Bee Network benefit from local control of public transport. We're confident that, with the changes we've already made and more we've got planned, we're making Grater Manchester one of the best places in the country to be a bus driver."

Danny Vaughan, TfGM's Chief Network Officer, added: "This positive announcement means that the 190 bus routes we expected to be disrupted should now run as normal. Given the timing of the decision, there may still be limited disruption on some bus services across Greater Manchester this weekend.

"We're therefore still advising people to plan ahead and check the latest status of their service before they travel. We suggest people leave plenty of time for their journey and get in touch with us if they have any questions."

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