Greater Manchester sets out 2050 vision for rail network

Greater Manchester has set out an ambitious new vision to transform its rail system over the next thirty years.

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, unveiled ‘On the Right Track for Growth: A 2050 Vision for the Future of Rail in Greater Manchester’ during a speech at the Public Transport in the North of England conference in Manchester on 3rd December.

Greater Manchester’s rail network covers over 318 km, across 96 stations and delivers over 40 million passenger trips into Manchester’s central stations. However, the current system faces significant challenges: limited local influence and accountability, many inaccessible stations, crowded services, and issues with reliability.

Developed alongside rail industry partners, the city-region’s plans set out a roadmap to double passenger numbers, support 75,000 new homes and unlock a £90 billion economic uplift across the area by 2050.

The Greater Manchester Rail Vision commits to new trains, better stations, more frequent services, and seamless ticketing – connecting intercity, regional, and local rail, Metrolink, and bus services through the Bee Network. It also unlocks new capacity for rail freight to support economic and business growth, with 6.6 million tonnes of rail freight already passing through the city-region each year.

Key ambitions featured in the plans include new stations, including at Cheadle, step-free access for at least half of the city-region’s stations, up to 75,000 new homes near the rail network at growth locations such as Stockport town centre and Old Trafford, and a new underground station and transformation at Manchester Piccadilly to increase capacity for trains and to support new jobs, homes and employment space.

The publication of the rail Vision also comes ahead of when the first local rail services will join the Bee Network from December 2026, with further details for the process of bringing rail into the Bee Network to be announced later this month. Sunday 7th December will also see Greater Manchester rail passengers benefit from simpler rail fares, which will also pave the way for contactless payments that are integrated with other modes of transport.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“Greater Manchester’s rail network plays a vital role in supporting our communities, powering our economy, and opening doors to opportunity – but for long has been held back from its true potential.

“The way projects and services are planned and delivered is changing, with long needed reform giving us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape rail for Greater Manchester.”

Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said:

“Greater Manchester continues to deliver major improvements to transport to transform how people get around this rapidly growing region. As the first area to successfully bring buses under local control, the foundations have been laid for a fully integrated, safe, reliable, and efficient Bee Network.

“Integrating local train services is the next piece in the jigsaw. By bringing our rail services into the Bee Network from December 2026, we’re working with partners in the rail industry to deliver immediate benefits to customers and set a long-term plan to create a truly world-class, integrated public transport system.”

Tricia Williams, Managing Director of Northern, said:

“We’re proud to have worked alongside Transport for Greater Manchester and industry partners to help create this ambitious long-term plan to improve and transform train travel in the region.

 “We are committed to delivering a reliable and accessible railway in Greater Manchester that is fit for the future and supports economic growth.”

Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said:

“We’re proud to join forces with Transport for Greater Manchester and our partners to shape an ambitious plan that will make rail travel better for everyone in the region.

“Our goal is simple: a reliable, accessible railway that serves communities, supports growth, and is ready for the future.”

Rebecca Rathore, route strategy director at Network Rail, said:

“We are committed to working together to enable major improvements for passengers and freight in the Greater Manchester area. This increased ambition will provide a simpler, better integrated transport system for everyone.”