Bee Network reveals improvements to bus services one year after first services returned to local control

Greater Manchester is marking one year on since the launch of its first Bee Network services and the return of buses to local government control after almost 40 years.

The first franchised Bee Network bus services began operating in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury in September 2023, with the final tranche of services to be brought back under local government control, including in Stockport, in January 2025.

Local control of buses is part of a plan to grow the Greater Manchester economy by providing better, more affordable public transport and making it easier for people to travel by foot, bike or wheelchair. By connecting more people with education, leisure and work opportunities, the Bee Network is helping unlock the city region’s growth potential. In the coming years, it will also help tackle the housing crisis by unlocking new locations across Greater Manchester to build new housing at scale. 

Since the Bee Network launched, more than 58 million bus journeys have been made on the distinctive yellow buses, and increase of nearly seven million over the final year of privatised services. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is also reporting that services are consistently more reliable, with services consistently reporting above 80% punctuality between June and August this year. Customer satisfaction has also risen to a record high of 82%, according to TfGM’s fares survey, up from 63% in 2022.

Revenues from buses have also increased, exceeding £20 million over the first year, and £3 million above the amount budgeted by TfGM. Franchised services are also costing a third less per km than services being tendered before the Bee Network’s launch.

Speaking to mark the one-year anniversary of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:

“A year ago, we made history as the first area to bring our buses back under local control in almost 40 years. Today, we can see the progress we’ve made, with bus services now cleaner, cheaper and more reliable than before and record numbers of passengers using the Bee Network.

“The age and standard of our buses is better than ever, we’ve more staff, we’re keeping fares low and have launched more night buses for those working in our nighttime economy.

“The Bee Network is also delivering new jobs and apprenticeships both here in Greater Manchester and across the UK. And having control of our buses also means we can fund free bus travel for 16 to 18-year-olds. So, the cost of bus ticket need not be a barrier to work or study opportunities.  

“As our pioneering Bee Network goes from strength to strength, it’s no surprise that others are looking to follow in our footsteps and that local control of buses is now a major national policy.”

Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport, added:

“Greater Manchester has been a pioneer in the effort to deliver better buses. Just one year on from its launch, the Bee Network has become a model for reliable, affordable and integrated public transport services.

“That’s why I made sure my very first official visit as Transport Secretary was to see the brilliant Bee Network in action.

“This Government is committed to ensuring these same successes are replicated across the country, by breaking down barriers to delivering better buses and giving local leaders the tools they need to deliver for their communities.”

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester said:

“Huge strides have been made in delivering the Bee Network, which is bringing together buses, trams, trains and active travel into a single, simpler and more affordable system for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester. 

“The first year of operations under bus franchising has proven the model. Patronage, punctuality and revenue are up and the cost of operation is down. The job now is to continuously improve the service and we are working with the districts and their local communities to do just that.

“We have also been working hard to respond to feedback. We have listened and improved our app, made changes to improve the most complained about services and focused on ensuring the safety and security of customers and staff. 

“There is still much to do to complete the Bee Network, including the major exercise to bring the remaining 50% of bus services to the south of Greater Manchester under local control in January, introduce tap and go payment and then begin the integration of eight core rail lines. We’re getting on with all of that. 

“This last year has been a huge undertaking for Greater Manchester. I’d like to thank our customers, staff, bus operators, the TravelSafe Partnership and all of our partners for getting us to this point.

“It’s essential that the Bee Network works for our communities and businesses. We’ve been working hard to respond to feedback, improving the app and making changes to almost 100 of the worst-performing and most complained about services to make them more reliable.

“There is more work to do, not least bringing the remaining 50% of services to the south of Greater Manchester under local control in January. We remain fully focussed on developing the network that Greater Manchester deserves, making bus journeys better for everyone.”