Greater Manchester’s Bee Network Committee holds first meeting

A new committee that will shape the delivery of Greater Manchester’s London-style Bee Network of integrated public transport held its inaugural meeting on Thursday 27th July.

The Bee Network, launches from September will bring together buses, trams, rail and active travel to transform how people travel in the city region. In its first meeting, the Bee Network Committee discussed the Greater Manchester Bus Strategy, Bee Network fares and products, and an extension to the Metrolink contract.

The new committee replaces the former Greater Manchester Transport Committee in response to the additional local control the city-region now has over its transport system. Bus franchising, due to come into effect in parts of Greater Manchester in September 2023, and in Stockport from late 2024, will especially change the type and number of decisions being made.

The Bee Network Committee comprises 16 members, including Chair Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, and Vice Chair Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council and Portfolio Holder for Technical Education & Skills and Clean Air for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. There is also one councillor from each of the 10 Greater Manchester local authorities and four councillors appointed by the Mayor for political balance. Stockport is represented by Cllr Grace Baynham, Stockport Council Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways & Transport Services, as well as Leader of Stockport Labour Group, Cllr David Meller, who is on a committee as a mayoral appointment.

Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of TfGM and GMCA said the new arrangements would help local politicians hold the system to account. He said:

“A key part of these new governance arrangements will be an increased number of opportunities for local councillors – and the communities they represent – to influence transport policy and services in their area and better hold TfGM and other agencies to account for the operational performance of the network – for example, around safety and personal security.”

The Committee will provide opportunities for local members to inform reviews of the transport network, including regular reviews of the franchised bus network, through direct engagement and consultation. The Committee will have an important role in advising and supporting the Greater Manchester’s ten constituent councils on specific transport issues and will work to support the shared ownership of the transport agenda across the city region, ensuring that it is informed by local priorities and driven by consensus.