Listen to this article here
|
A rolling programme of reviews of Bee Network bus services across Greater Manchester will explore ways that public transport can be improved across the city-region.
Reviews will start in Wigan and Bolton where Bee Network bus services have been operating longest, with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) working alongside local authorities to gather thoughts from local communities, elected members and businesses. Elected representatives sitting on local transport committees and forums will influence any changes made, with priority given to ideas that deliver the biggest benefits for the most people in Greater Manchester, taking funding and resources into account.
All areas of Greater Manchester will be reviewed within three years, with the order mirroring the roll-out of bus franchising. A programme of thematic reviews – for example, opportunities for night buses, orbital services, or priority routes – also gets under way from January 2025 when buses in Stockport and other remaining areas of Greater Manchester will come under local control.
Regular reviews into bus services have been made possible due to Greater Manchester becoming the first area in the country to bring buses back under local control in almost 40 years – with accountability forming a key element of the region’s flagship Bee Network. Franchising has already ushered in later buses on some routes, better joining them up with the last trains and trams of the day. Extra buses have also been rolled out in the first franchised areas, helping to improve punctuality and reliability on services, as well as providing extra capacity.
Strategic Network Reviews are among a range of options for making changes to public transport services.
Some changes can be implemented relatively quickly, while others will take longer due to current bus service legislation. Some changes could require formal consultation.
Smaller operational interventions, such as timetable, minor route or fleet changes, can be introduced in around one to three months, addressing performance issues around punctuality and reliability.
Changes that ‘grow’ the existing Bee Network – such as additional frequencies, trips, capacity or minor route changes – fall under a fast-track process, meaning they can be put in place within around six months. The 24-hour transport pilot getting under way from September with new night bus services in parts of Greater Manchester is a key example.
Strategic Network Reviews will deal with more substantial, in-depth changes with a view to improving the Bee Network over the longer term. Under current legislation, these will likely take between 12 and 18 months and could require consultation.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester said:
“Striving for continuous improvement is at the heart of delivering the Bee Network and achieving the high standards of service our customers rightly expect. Through these Network Reviews we will work with district authorities and local communities to ensure that bus services meet their needs.
“The final stage of bus franchising covering the south of Greater Manchester will be completed in January adding to the new buses, additional services and improved punctuality delivered in the earlier phases. That will also enable us to introduce the option of ‘tap and go’ ticketing shortly afterwards linking up Metrolink and bus journeys and ensuring customers always pay the lowest fare for their travel.”