Thousands of bus passengers could be impacted by strikes in Greater Manchester as more than 300 Arriva bus drivers prepare to walk out over pay. The industrial action on Wednesday (July 19), run by Unite the Union in response to a below-inflation pay offer, means there will 'no service or limited service' on Arriva bus routes in Trafford, Wigan, Bolton and Salford and Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has arranged for alternative operators to run the routes it subsidises - which are those which make too little profit to be run by bus companies. But not all timetables will run as planned.
READ MORE: Hundreds of Manchester bus drivers to strike tomorrow as 'pay rise vital for families to survive'
Services 281 to 287, which serve Altrincham and surrounding areas, which are financially supported by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will be covered by alternative operator, Goodwins. Revised timetables will be available on the TfGM website and at bus stations - as well as any further changes to this cover throughout the duration of the strike.
A full list of the 20 routes which will not operate are listed below.
Those customers with Arriva tickets of seven days or more, purchased and activated before the date of the strike, will be able to use their ticket on selected Metrolink lines during this period. Sean Dyball, TfGM’s Head of Customer Experience, said: “We understand the concern passengers will have and we want to reassure them that we’re working closely with the operator to limit the disruption as much as possible.
“Unfortunately, due to current conditions and staff absences, we have not been able to secure replacements for all routes. Where we can, we have worked to prioritise routes with no or limited alternative transport options. We have travel information available on our website to help people make informed journey choices and to cycle or walk where possible, especially for shorter trips.“
But in total, 20 routes will not operate at all. They are:
10: Brookhouse Estate - Lower Broughton - Salford - Shudehill
18: Eccles - Trafford Park - Sale - Manchester Airport
19: Altrincham - Sale - Sale Moor - Northern Moor - Wythenshawe
34: Leigh - Newton le Willows - Crow Lane - St Helens
34A: St Helens - Newton le Willows - Leigh
245: Altrincham - Sale - Urmston - The Trafford Centre
247: Altrincham - Partington - Carrington - The Trafford Centre
263: Altrincham - Sale - Stretford - Hulme - Piccadilly Gardens
280: Altrincham - Mossbrow - Partington - Carrington - Sale
288: Alrincham - Hale - Hale Barns - Manchester Airport (Evening - Sunday only service)
320: St Helens - Haydock - Aston-in-Makerfield - Wigan
352: Wigan - Newtown - Pemberton - Orrell - Billinge - St Helens
360: Wigan - Abram - Golborne - Newton le Willows - Warrington
362: Chorley Town Centre - Coppull - Coppull Moor - Wigan
375: Wigan - Skelmersdale - Pennylands - Ormskirk - Southport
385: Wigan - Skelmersdale - Pennylands - Ormskirk - Southport
395: Wigan - Up Holland - Hall Green - Clay Brow - Skelmersdale
534: Bolton - Halliwell - Astley Bridge - Oldhams Estate
541: Bolton - Tonge Moor - Bradshaw - Bromley Cross - Toppings
575: Bolton - Heaton - Lostock - Horwich - Blackrod - Wigan
More than 1,800 Arriva workers are due to walk out of depots in Manchester and Merseyside. Dave Roberts, regional officer for Unite, told the Manchester Evening News : "During the cost of living crisis, our members, especially those with large families, are trying to keep up with playng bills, over-inflated prices on fuel and they need a pay rise that will help and support dealing with these issues. They are starting to feel the pinch and a good pay rise is vital for them to be able to survive."
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