Bee Network improvements to bring night bus and new connections to Stockport

A package of over 30 service changes across Greater Manchester’s Bee Network buses is to be delivered over the course of 2026, including a new night bus and new route in Stockport.

The 36 changes announced by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham are the most significant and wide-ranging upgrades to the Bee Network since bus franchising was completed in January last year. Changes will see improved connections to major employment sites across the city-region, new routes and night bus service between every borough and Manchester city centre.

In Stockport, the 192 service between Hazel Grove and Manchester City Centre will run round the clock on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, providing support for people in jobs that operate late into the night and helping them, and those enjoying both Manchester and Stockport town centre’s nightlife, to get home safely.

A new bus service, the 377, will also connect new housing developments in Woodford Garden Village to Stockport town centre with direct buses for the first time.

Other improvements to services planned for 2026 affecting Stockport bus passengers include the extension of the 368, which currently runs between Stockport Interchange and Wythenshawe, to Manchester Airport, as well as changes to the 378 and 379 services serving Bramhall, Heald Green and Cheadle Hulme.

The interventions announced, subject to final costing and approval by GMCA, are planned to be implemented during the 2026/27 financial year.

They have been shaped by feedback from local residents and passengers and build on the more than 80 improvements already delivered through bus franchising as the Bee Network continues to play a key role in powering Greater Manchester’s £100 billion economy, which is growing faster than the UK average.

The changes will deliver significant benefits for communities right across the city-region, connecting people to jobs and opportunities and attracting more people on to the bus network – a key priority in the Greater Manchester Strategy. Going forward, services will be continually reviewed to ensure the Bee Network meet the needs of a growing city-region.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“By expanding Bee Network night buses to every borough, and providing more frequent services to key employment locations, we are creating more ways for people to access jobs and opportunities across the region.

“This is just the start. As we continue to lead the way on economic growth, so will we continue to lead the way on transforming the Bee Network, setting us up for another decade of good growth so that everyone in Greater Manchester can live a good life.”

The changes across the city-region are set to benefit up to 740,000 people living within walking or wheeling distance from the improved routes, more than half of whom (408,000) live in more deprived areas with lower car ownership, helping to support local prosperity and reduce deprivation.

Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said:

“The Bee Network is doing exactly what it was created to do, delivering reliable, affordable and better-connected transport for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.

“These improvements show how local control is already transforming services: linking workers to jobs, supporting our shops, hospitality and nighttime economy, and making it easier for families and communities to travel right across the city-region.

“As we continue to integrate and expand the network, we are focused on making everyday life easier and opening up new opportunities for everyone who lives, works or invests in Greater Manchester.”

Commenting on the improved connections to Manchester Airport, Chris Woodroofe, the hub’s Managing Director, added:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world. Our £1.3bn investment programme means that the airport is now bigger, better and easier to use than ever before. It also means we are equipped to continue our growth and drive all the benefits of that across the region – and those benefits can be maximised by more people having easy access to the airport.

“Improving bus connectivity to the airport is great news. For a long time, too many people in Greater Manchester haven’t had quick, easy, affordable access to the airport – but the Bee Network is changing that meaning getting here on public transport is now a viable option for so many more people.

“The benefits go beyond Greater Manchester too. We are Sheffield’s key major international airport but getting here on public transport from there has been a challenge for many years. This improved bus connectivity will mean people from Sheffield will be able to get the train to Stockport and get here on the bus, saving time, money and effort. This is a great example of how the Bee Network is transforming connectivity within the area and beyond.”