Travel disruption is likely for many who travel by bus in Manchester on Monday and Tuesday as hundreds of drivers go on strike in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Roughly 300 drivers for First buses walked out this morning and will remain on strike on Tuesday, as part of a union dispute taking place at First’s Oldham depot.
As a result, 28 school services across Manchester, Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside have been cancelled over the next two days. A further 18. commercial services have also been cancelled due to the strike action.
Industrial action is taking place again today at First Manchester's Oldham depot.
As a result, the 6, 57, 59, 81, 82, 83, 84, X84, 180, 181, 182, 184, 348, 350, 408 , 409, 425 and 426 services will not operate.
The drivers’ union, Unite, says that the bus company has not been ‘reasonable’ in responding to requests around improving pay. According to reports byITV, the company’s refusal to backdate a pay rise to August has been a key sticking point.
“Our members have been hailed as heroes for working throughout pandemic but that praise feels decidedly hollow when First Manchester is refusing to make our members a reasonable pay offer,” said Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite.
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According to the union, 300 drivers recorded a 99 per cent vote in favour of striking after last-minute talks on January 7 failed to make any headway.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) is attempting to cover some services, but staff shortages due to Covid mean that a number of services will not run on Monday or Tuesday.
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First Manchester commercial services not operating
6 – Rochdale – Kirkholt
57 – Oldham – Rushcroft via Shaw
59 – Manchester – Oldham
81 – Manchester – Derker
82 – Oldham – Sholver
83 – Manchester – Sholver
84 – Manchester – Uppermill
X84 – Manchester – Carrcote
180 – Oldham – Greenfield
181 – Rochdale – Manchester
182 – Rochdale – Manchester
184 – Oldham – Huddersfield
348 – Ashton – Carrbrook
350 – Oldham – Ashton
408 – Oldham – Rochdale
409 – Rochdale – Ashton
425 – Oldham – Holts
426 – Oldham – Fitton Hill
First school bus routes not operating
708 morning service from New Moston (7.41am) to Co-op Academy Manchester
775 morning service from Fitton Hill (8am) to St Damian’s
793 morning service from Littlemoss (7.20am) to Audenshaw
793 afternoon service from Audenshaw (2.50pm) to Littlemoss
803 afternoon service from Mossley Hollins (3.10pm) to Oldham
820 morning service from Darnton Rd (8.05am) to Copley Academy
823 afternoon service from Bluecoat (3.35pm) to Dobcross
825 morning service from Waterhead (8.09am) to Saddleworth
829 morning service from Werneth (7am) to Oasis Leesbrook
829 morning service from Werneth (7.30am) to Oasis Leesbrook and Saddleworth
829 afternoon service from Oasis Leesbrook (3.50pm) to Werneth
835 morning service from Sholver (7.50am) to Newman College
835 afternoon service from Newman College (3.30pm) to Sholver
836 morning service from Derker (7.58am) to Newman College
837 morning service from Hyde (7.40am) to Longdendale High School
837 afternoon service from Longdendale High School (3pm) to Hyde
849 afternoon service from Oasis Academy (2.50pm) to Higher Blackley
851 morning service from Guide Bridge (7.40am) to Gt. Academy Ashton
865 morning service from Glodwick (7.38am) to Waterhead Academy
865 afternoon service from Waterhead Academy (3.05pm) to Glodwick
870 afternoon service from Mossley Hollins (3.09pm) to Carrbrook
875 afternoon service from Radclyffe School (3.10pm) to Moston
879 afternoon service from Royton & Crompton (3.20pm) to Sholver
879 morning service from Moston (7.35am) to Radclyffe School
879 morning service from Sholver (7.30am) to Royton & Crompton
882 morning service from Shaw (8.13am) to Newman College
884 morning service from Calderbrook (7.28am) to Kingsway Park
884 afternoon service from Kingsway Park (2.50pm) to Calderbrook
First has apologised to customers for the disruption to services being caused by the strike action.
Ian Humphreys, Managing Director, First Manchester told the Manchester Evening News:” “We have been holding extensive talks with union representatives over the last few days and made every attempt to avoid industrial action, especially given the short notice this creates for our customers to make alternative travel arrangements.”
Unite has further strike action planned for January 18, 20, 24 and 26.
However, following a consortium bid led by a former player, it now looks as though the local community will be starting a new sporting era in 2026. You can read the RFL’s statement in full down below.
As you can see, the English governing body has agreed to grant the new Salford-based rugby league team Championship status in time for the start of next season.
The Red Devils were officially relegated back in October, following months of uncertainty surrounding their unpaid debts and having to rely on loan players to field squads.
It’s unclear whether the new Salford side will carry on under the well-established brand and logo, or whether they fresh start will include a new Greater Manchester moniker.
There is, of course, an obvious choice as retired winger Mason Caton-Brown has been confirmed as one of at least three key investors following his ‘Phoenix Bid’ to resurrect the club earlier this month.
Following the official announcement on Monday (22 Dec), fan group The 1873 have now expressed their gratitude and support regarding the new investment, adding: “The strength of this club has always been its people and that must remain true in this new chapter.”
We would like to congratulate The Phoenix Bid on being awarded RFL membership and becoming custodians of Salford Rugby League 👏
Fans must fully back the new board as we move into 2026. We have a responsibility to ensure that this is as successful as it can be. pic.twitter.com/BZEwzS0zC6
Caton-Brown had already insisted that the new leadership group had reached multiple pre-contract agreements with players and a new head coach.
While it’s obviously a big result to be gearing up just a few weeks after seemingly folding as a competitive side, the owners are now racing to get a full squad ready to face Oldham in their season opener on 16 January.
Meanwhile, ex-Salford Red Devils stars Paul Rowley and Adam Sidlow have now joined the coaching staff at St Helens.
Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)/Publicity picture (supplied)
News
Two men jailed after series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester totalling £1m
Emily Sergeant
Two men have been handed prison sentences following a series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester.
An investigation into the actions of Eidmantas Sadauskas and Vytautas Ceponis, both of no fixed abode, by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) began back in January of this year.
Described as being ‘sophisticated’ operation, the pair used equipment and tools to disable the vehicle security alarms and gain access to them, before they would then clone the vehicles, using different registration plates to allow them to slip under the radar.
In total, 25 Porsches – estimated, in total, as being approximately £1 million – were linked to the theft series and identified as having been taken by Sadauskas and Ceponis.
The thefts occurred across Greater Manchester – including in Salford, Bury, Trafford, Manchester, and Stockport – and it’s believed they were being stolen to be sold on for illegal gain.
The thefts occurred between January and October 2025, according to police, before the investigation began.
A comprehensive investigation Stockport’s Neighbourhood Crime Team (NCT) found that Sadauskas and Ceponis were mapped out as being in the areas of the crimes as they occurred, and the vehicles involved in the thefts were additionally identified as being linked to them.
The pair subsequently pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal motor vehicles at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in late November, before their sentencing last Friday.
Ceponis was jailed for four years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles, while Sadauskas was jailed for four-and-a-half years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
Several of the Porsches have since been recovered, and police say work remains ongoing to locate the outstanding vehicles and reunite them with their owners.
“No one should have their property taken from them,” commented PC Chris Hopkins, from GMP’s Stockport NCT. “As officers in the Neighourhood Crime Team, we work proactively to tackle these sorts of offences and punish those responsible.
The Manc -
10th January 2022 
