Disruption as bus drivers strike

More than 800 drivers are on strike for the second time

Bus services in Greater Manchester have been disrupted as drivers stage a second 24-hour strike.

Services in Wigan, Bolton and Bury are worst affected by the action by 833 First Group workers in a pay row.

Routes in Trafford, Stockport, Salford and Rochdale are also affected but school and college buses are running.

The Unite union is taking the action over a pay freeze. The company has said it is "not possible" to fund a rise in the current economic climate.

Members are planning further stoppages on 21 and 28 September as part of the ongoing dispute.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), which is in charge of transport in the region, is advising passengers to explore alternative travel options.

Passenger advice

It said demand on services provided by other bus operators, as well as on trains and trams, was likely to be significantly greater than normal.

GMPTE Spokesman Michael Renshaw said: "We are disappointed that an agreement could not be reached and that passengers are going to be affected by this industrial action.

"They should allow extra time for their journeys, as there will be greater demand for other services and there is also likely to be more traffic on the roads.

"We will have staff on hand across the network to advise, we will be putting up notices on affected bus stops and stations, and details will also be available from our website."