Latest Bee Network plans unveiled including new tram lines

The plans have been announced by the Mayor of Greater Manchester this morning

Published 10th Jul 2024

The latest plans for the 'Bee Network' have been unvieled by the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

It comes as transport bosses say the new branded buses are already out-performing commercial competitors.

Andy Burnham says key priorities for the next phase of the plans include:

  • Cheaper bus fares to launch in January
  • Cheaper bus fares to launch in January
  • £6.8m of new funding announced to help develop new walking, wheeling and cycling improvements across Greater Manchester
  • Eight key train routes to join Bee Network by 2028, enabling seamless travel across buses, trains and trams
  • Emerging priorities for new tram and tram-train lines, faster bus
  • routes, and an underground service being considered to sustain long-term
  • growth and economic prosperity
  • Transport and Active Travel Commissioners re-appointed to oversee the next phase of Bee Network delivery

The Bee Network launched in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester in September last year as Greater Manchester became the first area to bring buses under local control following de-regulation in 1986.

Over the past six months, the number of people using buses in those areas has increased by 5%, with the week ending 18 May recording the highest weekly patronage to date since franchising started, with over 849,000 passenger journeys.

The punctuality of services is also consistently outperforming both the current non-franchised network, and the pre-franchised network that operated over the same period last year, with more than 80% of services (82.9%) running on time, between 28 April and 23 June, compared with 68.7% over the same period 12 months ago.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “Nowhere else in the country is delivering a plan as ambitious as here in Greater Manchester, and in Dame Sarah Storey and Vernon Everitt we have two of the most knowledgeable and experienced people in their field to help us on our journey to transform public transport and active travel.

“Safe, affordable and reliable transport – connected together by quality routes for walking, wheeling and cycling – are key to ensuring a healthier, more prosperous city-region.

“With ambitious plans for housing, education and skills we are looking in detail at how we better connect Greater Manchester in the future – both across our towns and cities but also with other parts of the north.

“When we succeed the country succeeds and I look forward to working with this new government to ensure we maximise our role as a leading contributor to sustainable regional and national economic growth.”

A map showing the newly proposed routes

We're also told Greater Manchester is working with the rail industry to bring eight rail lines into the Bee Network by 2028, with other lines joining by the end of the decade.

The plans include:

  • More fully accessible stations across Greater Manchester
  • Service improvements, with a minimum of two trains an hour at all stations where possible
  • Integrated fares, clear Bee Network branding across trains and stations and better customer information
  • Modern new train stations at Golborne and Cheadle

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