By James Holt
Copyright manchestereveningnews
Bus strikes across Greater Manchester that were due to impact around 190 services from tomorrow been called off at the eleventh-hour, it has been announced. Most bus services across the region will now run as normal this weekend with unions abandoning the industrial action that had been planned to start from Friday (October 10). Staff at two Bee Network bus operators – Metroline and Stagecoach were set to stage the walkout on October 10, 11 and 13 in an ongoing row over pay. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Services across the region were expected to be impacted, including some school buses, with no services in Tameside , Trafford and Stockport ad further disruption across south Manchester and the city centre. Unite the Union announced on Thursday evening that the strikes will be suspended while it ballots drivers on a new pay offer from the operators. 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 Greater Manchester one of the best places in the country to be a bus driver.” Join our Traffic and Travel WhatsApp group HERE Due to the last minute decision, TfGM said there may still be some disruption to services. Passengers are being encouraged to check before travelling, with all the latest updates to be available on the Bee Network website and app. 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.” Latest updates and service information will be available online here . — Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable , highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street . If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@men-news.co.uk or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.