News
Buses and trams across Greater Manchester deep cleaned amid bed bug concerns
This will make you itchy
Specialist contractors will carry out a deep clean of Greater Manchester’s buses and trams amid concerns of a possible bed bug invasion.
It comes after the French capital saw an infestation hit hotels and public transport during Paris Fashion Week, with social media users posting clips of the little critters on beds and upholstery on public transport.
As the uninvited guests spread across Paris, it wasn’t long before TikTok videos emerged showing the creepy crawlies taking a ride on the London Underground.
One clip shows one of the small brown creatures crawling up a passenger’s leg while using the Victoria Tube Line.
Fears grew that the insects – which hide in upholstery and come out at night to bite people and feed on human blood – had travelled to London.
However, Transport for London has said it is ‘not aware of any confirmed sightings of bedbugs’ on its transport network and is continuously monitoring the situation as it ‘takes all possible precautionary measures’.
Claims of bed bug sightings and social media clips have sparked further concerns that these flesh-biting pests may spread up North to Greater Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed it regularly conducts deep cleans of upholstery on its transport network using ‘specialist tools’ and said it has not been made aware of any issues.
Despite this, one social media user posted a photo on Twitter of a brown bug crawling up one of the windows on their First Bus travelling towards Oldham, on Monday October 9th.
The passenger wrote: “hey @FirstBusnews your 59 to Oldham Mumps has bedbugs I suggest you do something about this quickly lol.”
First bus company wrote in response: “This is really concerning to see, and we do apologise for this.” The bus company then asked the person for further information so it was able to assist.
TfGM say they have not been made aware of any specific sightings so far.
Chief operating officer for TfGM, Alex Cropper said: “We have recently sought assurances from our Metrolink and bus operators on this and they have reassured us that their cleaning teams or subcontractors regularly deep clean the upholstery on all vehicles using specialist tools.
“These deep cleans will identify any concerns and there are specialist contractors lined up should there be any suspected outbreaks, with teams also being briefed should they spot anything in-between the deep cleans.”
We’re pleased to announce that Proper Manchester is rebranding as Finest City Guides.
As part of this change, the Proper Manchester brand, including its social media channels, will transition to the Finest City Guides name.
This is a rebrand of the existing platform rather than a new or unrelated business. The same team behind Proper Manchester will continue to operate Finest City Guides as we develop the platform under its new identity.
Previous name: Proper Manchester
New name: Finest City Guides
Our social channels and other brand assets will be updated to reflect the Finest City Guides name as part of this transition.
More from Finest City Guides coming soon.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
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