Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Transport Commissioner Chris Boardman have launched a public conversation to hear views on plans for the Bee Network, a fully integrated public transport system for the city-region.
Ambitions for the Bee Network will see Greater Manchester benefit from a more joined-up, London-style transport system and will bring together buses, trams, cycling and walking by 2024, with railways incorporated by 2030. The plans are already delivering new walking and cycling routes across the city-region, and deliver a daily fare cap and multi-modal ticketing across tram and bus services. This week, Greater Manchester has installed the first Bee Network Cycle Hire stations as part of a scheme that will launch in November in Manchester City Centre, parts of Salford and surrounding areas.
Dubbed Destination: Bee Network, the public conversation process seeks to hear from those living and working across Greater Manchester to share what is important to them in regards to future transport options and help shape future plans.
Engagement sessions are being held across Greater Manchester to reach out to communities via a bus tour during October and November, and local people can also share their views via an online survey until the 12th November. Topics the engagement process will cover include Bee Network values and customer standards, safety and different types of journeys, and considerations around allowing all dogs and bikes on trams.
Feedback gathered through the public events, survey and engagement sessions will help to inform further planning in support of developing an integrated transport network for Greater Manchester by Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham (pictured with the Bee Network tour bus) said:
The people of Greater Manchester deserve a world-class transport network where you can seamlessly travel across the city-region on buses, trams and trains – without spending a fortune each time.
“The decision to franchise GM buses and bring them under local control was the first major milestone in building the Bee Network. It means that decisions can be made at a local level for the benefit of our passengers and ultimately improve the lives of Greater Manchester’s diverse communities.
“That’s why we’re now asking for people’s input on this key conversation about active travel and public transport across the city-region in the coming weeks. We want to know what people need and expect from the Bee Network and I urge as many people as possible to get involved.”
Transport Commissioner Chris Boardman added:
“We want to make walking, cycling and public transport the natural choice for everyday trips.
“By creating a seamless, accessible network for the city-region, we can reduce people’s reliance on cars, create better places to live and drive growth in the economy and our high streets.
“The Bee Network brand is being developed alongside the products, services and infrastructure for an integrated network. This is an opportunity for people to get involved in what their transport system will look and feel like.
“If you see our eye-catching yellow Destination: Bee Network bus parked up in your borough, please come over to say hello and be part of the conversation.”
To complete the survey and find out when the Destination: Bee Network bus will be in your area, visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website.
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