Greater Manchester gets ready for phase two of Bee Network bus franchising
Bus service improvements will include more frequent and earlier and later services
Greater Manchester will see its ambitious plans for the full delivery of the Bee Network – transforming public transport across the region – take a big step forward in just over one month’s time, with the launch of phase two of bus franchising.
On Sunday 24 March buses in Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Bury, Salford and north Manchester will come back under public control for the first time in almost 40 years.
The Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s vision for an integrated, ‘London-style’ transport system, which will change the way people travel across the city region. It launched on 24 September 2023 with the successful implementation of the first phase of bus franchising across Wigan, Bolton and parts of Bury and Salford.
The change will mean a total of 324 bus routes – 188 routes in phase one and 136 routes in phase two – totalling 50% of the bus network in Greater Manchester, will be managed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) as part of the Bee Network. General bus services in phase two will be operated by Stagecoach, First Group and Diamond under a franchising arrangement.
Key benefits include:
- Immediate service improvements to boost services on key routes in Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Bury, Manchester and Tameside, including more early and late services and better connections to first and last trams.
- Reversing frequency reductions introduced last year – before they were part of the Bee Network - delivering more daytime and evening services.
- Developing plans with bus operators to improve the worst performing routes across phase two services, with extra buses on standby, timetable changes and reviewing road junctions and signals to keep buses moving.
- A new journey planner will be added to the Bee Network app along with a live bus tracker by 24 March – so passengers can easily plan their journey, buy tickets, and see exactly where their bus is on the route.
- 30 additional TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers (TSEOs) patrolling franchised bus services, transport interchanges and bus stations, boosting the size of the team to 60 dedicated officers.
- 50 new Zero Emission Buses and 84 new Euro 6 Bee Network buses introduced into phase two areas over the coming months, with air conditioning, USB chargers, ramps, wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, anti-slip flooring and AV announcement systems.
Passengers using both Metrolink and bus as a part of their journey will also benefit from savings of up to 20% using the AnyBus + Tram ticket. People using the network can also check how it’s performing with new weekly and monthly reports showing performance in phase two areas, as well as the wider network.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “This next phase of bus franchising in Greater Manchester will not only mark another big step forwards towards the full delivery of the Bee Network, it also clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving public transport in the region.
“When services in Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Bury, Salford and north Manchester become part of the Bee Network on 24 March, half of all the bus services in Greater Manchester will be back under local control and accountable to passengers.
“People will see some immediate improvements including more frequent buses, later and earlier services and better connections to trams and trains on some key routes. We will also be reversing some of the service reductions implemented before we took control of the system.
“There will be useful new features available on the Bee Network app – including a journey planner and the ability for passengers to track their buses live.
“We are also working towards the launch of a 24/7 night time bus service pilot to ensure that people working in hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare or any number of other roles can get to and from work safely using public transport.
“That will be launching later this year and it’s been made possible by the introduction of bus franchising. We will be looking to pilot the scheme on a phase one route which is going to include the V1 and 36. The details are currently being developed and are subject to further engagement but it will provide us with a blueprint as to what can be achieved as a part of the Bee Network in support of people in Greater Manchester.
“But we’re taking on a network which hasn’t been working for customers at times, and making the changes we need to get performance to where it needs to be won’t happen overnight. We now have control over services and the ability to make changes – that’s a big difference, and customers can help too by giving us feedback so we can continue working to improve the system.”
Since the launch of the Bee Network and the first phase of bus franchising in September 2023, a number of bus service improvements have been delivered including timetable changes on 44 bus services on the worst performing and most complained about routes. Further service improvements in phase one areas are being planned for April.
Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt said: “Safe, reliable and affordable public transport and active travel facilities are central to improving life for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester. This next phase of the Bee Network is a further significant step towards making an integrated London-style system a practical reality here.
“Passengers will see some immediate service, safety and customer information improvements from 24 March, including earlier and later services, a number of new buses, upgrades to the Bee Network app – including journey planning and bus tracking - and more TravelSafe officers at interchanges and on buses. We also continue to keep fares low and offer cheaper fares for journeys using a combination of both Metrolink trams and buses.
“In addition, we are also looking at the introduction of night bus services as a pilot to provide support for people working in the night time economy, or who have shifts starting or ending in the early hours of the morning. It’s important people have a safe and cost-effective way of getting to and from work when they need it. Greater Manchester is a 24 hour city and should have a public transport system to match that.
“But there is much still to be done to get the service to where we want it to be, especially when it comes to improving the frequency and reliability of buses. So next month is the beginning of a journey of continuous improvement and that will be the core focus for Transport for Greater Manchester and our new bus operators over the coming months.
“Overnight changes of this magnitude involving the handover of numerous routes, vehicles and depots between operators is a complex process, so we also ask passengers to bear with us in the early days while the new arrangements bed down.”
The update took place at Bury Interchange, which is set to be redeveloped by 2030, and play a key role in the Bee Network. Subject to government approval and funding, the £81m project will see the current site, which is over 40 years old, transformed into Greater Manchester’s first operationally carbon neutral interchange.
It will provide better links between trams and buses, and improved facilities for customers who are walking, wheeling or cycling and a new link to the southern end of a refurbished Metrolink stop. It will also deliver a safe, secure, sustainable and accessible gateway into Bury town centre, supporting its wider regeneration.
Leader of Bury Council, Eamonn O’Brien and Vice-Chair of the Bee Network Committee, said: “All bus services in Bury will be part of the Bee Network from 24 March, back under local control and accountable to the people using the services, which is great news. There is still a way to go, but phase two of franchising goes live in just over a month’s time and we are on track to see every bus service in Greater Manchester operating as a part of the Bee Network by January 2025.
“Bus franchising is a critical part of the Bee Network, and something that really underpins our vision for a joined-up London- style network serving the whole of Greater Manchester. Modern, customer-friendly interchanges and bus stations are also vital, and I am looking forward to seeing the plans for the redevelopment of Bury Interchange taking shape over the coming years. It will support the ongoing improvement of the town centre and act as a fantastic, welcoming new arrival point into the area for commuters and visitors.”
Alongside the launch of phase two of franchising, it was also announced that a 24/7 night bus pilot is set to launch in phase one bus areas - subject to ongoing engagement, funding and approval – supporting people working in the night time economy, meaning customers will never miss the last bus.
The pilot is anticipated to include the V1 and 36 services. Daytime fares and tickets would apply on night services, so a single trip would cost £2. Services could run hourly to fill the gap in current provision (between circa 1am and 5am) seven days a week, and TfGM is working with partners to look at the right level of TravelSafe support to make sure people feel safe on these services.