A long-serving Manchester bus driver who lost her job for being “too short” to safely drive has now been reinstated.
57-year-old Tracey Scholes has been working at Manchester’s Queen’s Road bus depot since 1987 and was one of the first female bus drivers in the city, but was dismissed back in November 2021 after 34 years behind the wheel when operator Go North West Ltd introduced a new bus model that she was deemed unfit to drive.
Scholes – who stands at 5ft tall – was told she did not have the “capability” to drive the new buses due to adjustments to the vehicles’ wing mirrors and assault screens.
The new dimensions meant that Scholes would need to lean back to use the mirrors, leaving her unable to reach the pedals.
Back in December, trade union Unite claimed bosses at Go North West ruled that because Scholes no longer had the “capability” to safely drive their buses, they instead offered her an alternative role at the company, but for less hours and pay – and it was this offer that she declined the offer before being given 12 weeks notice.
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A Go North West spokesperson told The Guardian that the company had “no choice” but to dismiss Scholes.
They said “numerous proposals to accommodate” her had been rejected.
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BREAKING 🚨🚌🚨: Tracey Scholes – the bus driver who was facing the sack for being too short – has just WON her appeal against her dismissal.
“The design of the mirrors on our buses was agreed after consultation with Unite some time ago,” the Go North West rep said.
“All our other drivers of similar height to Tracey are able to view them safely. Dedicated, experienced, hardworking bus drivers are difficult to find and so we would never act lightly in a situation like this.
“We are sorry that we were left with no choice but to bring this driver’s employment to an end.”
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After being handed her notice, Scholes made a desperate appeal for her job on 11 January – which went on to drum up plenty of local and national support, as well as an online petition calling for her to be reinstated with no loss of pay or hours that was eventually signed by over 25,000
Supporters described Scholes as “instrumental in paving the way for other women to take up positions within the passenger sector”, and a “hardworking, loved and valued member… who deserves to be commended for her years of service to the traveling public of Greater Manchester”.
And now, following her appeal, the bus firm has said that Scholes has been reinstated.
⚠️ BREAKING NEWS: Tracey Scholes has won her appeal for unfair dismissal ⚠️
Unite North West has called this “an important victory for the whole movement”.
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Speaking of Scholes’ win, Sharon Graham – General Secretary of Unite – added: “Tracey Scholes is back in the driving seat where she belongs.
“Tracey’s supporters have good reason to celebrate. Go Ahead have finally come to their senses and agreed to Unite’s demand for Tracey’s hours and pay to be protected [so] it is a great victory and a testimony to Tracey’s spirit, and the solidarity of all her union colleagues, to secure this change of mind by her Go Ahead employers.”
She continued: “As the first woman bus driver at the Manchester depot, with 34 years unblemished service, Tracey deserved to be treated with dignity.
“It’s terrific news that she can continue to drive her bus.”
Scholes will now drive the 52 bus route, and will be paid for a guaranteed 25 hours a week.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
24-hour bus services are now running across all Greater Manchester boroughs
Emily Sergeant
24-hour bus services are now running across all boroughs in Greater Manchester.
You may remember that back in March, it was announced that every borough of Greater Manchester was set to get a night bus service in what is hoped to be a ‘boost’ to the night-time economy… and now it’s official, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched those 24-hour buses this month, along with a series of other measures.
Oldham, Stockport, Tameside, and Trafford now join the rest of Greater Manchester in having 24-hour bus services, meaning every part of the region will have a night bus operating Thursday through to Sunday.
It’s expected that these new services will help around 625,400 people working in the night-time economy across Greater Manchester, as well as those out enjoying the region’s nightlife, TfGM has said.
The routes which will run around the clock from Thursday until Sunday are:
50 (Salford – Manchester)
216 (Tameside – Manchester)
263 (Trafford – Manchester)
192 (Stockport – Manchester)
83 (Oldham – Manchester)
All Greater Manchester boroughs now have 24-hour bus services / Credit: TfGM
They launch alongside the most significant service changes to the Bee Network since the completion of bus franchising last year – including other new bus routes, and more frequent services across Greater Manchester.
“We want everyone to be able to enjoy everything Greater Manchester offers, without the worry of how to get there and get home,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig.
“By growing the Bee Network, we’re making it easier than ever for people to use the bus, day and night.
“Our night buses are already providing a lifeline to some of the hundreds of thousands of people who are growing our night-time economy and working in essential public services.”
“Whether people are heading home from a night at the theatre or starting the early shift at a hospital, they can now get on board the night bus as a safe and affordable way to travel.”
Further improvements will delivered from January 2027, and a full breakdown by borough can be found on the Bee Network website here.
Emily Sergeant -
18th January 2022 
