Bus services at a standstill as staff strike over pay

But transport bosses pledge to keep city moving

- By PAUL BRITTON

STRIKE action by drivers will take many dozens of buses off the roads across Greater Manchester from today - with the industrial action due to last until Monday.

It's the result of a long-running dispute between unions and operators over pay.

Transport for Greater Manchester said bus services operated under the Bee Network by Metro-line, First and Stagecoach will be affected.

They include numerous services in Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford - including school services. Buses in Wigan and Bolton won't be affected.

It's estimated two-thirds of all the city region's buses won't run, unless an 11th hour deal can be brokered.

More than 1,000 drivers at Stagecoach in Greater Manchester, at the Oldham, Stockport and Middleton depots, are walking out.

The strikes are part of a coordinated series of industrial action with other firms in Manchester's integrated Bee Network.