COMMUTERS have been warned to plan ahead for their journeys next week, when bus and rail staff take industrial action.

On Monday and Wednesday, Arriva bus drivers will be striking in Bolton, while RMT union members will also stage a 24-hour walkout on Northern Rail services on Wednesday.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s events and operational co-ordination manager, Ryan Carter, said: “We are taking action to reduce disruption to the transport network as best we can, but we know it will still be very busy.

“Our advice is to plan ahead now. Can you travel at a different time, or does your boss allow you to work from home? Can you get into work a different way – by bus, tram, bike or foot? It could not only get you from A to B faster but help other people who simply don’t have a choice. We will be working hard on the affected days to monitor the situation and will be doing everything we can to keep Greater Manchester moving including having as many Metrolink trams in service as possible.”

No Northern services will run before 7am or after 7pm on Wednesday and there will be a reduced service between those times.