One month left before launch of Bee Network bus services

The first Bee Network buses in Greater Manchester to come under local control will hit the road in one month’s time on 24th September on routes in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester.

Alongside the city-region’s first yellow Bee Network buses, September will also see the roll out of new combined bus and tram ticket options and a new Bee Network app to purchase tickets, plan journeys and give feedback to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). London-style franchised bus services will reach Stockport by 2025, although the Bee Network app, capped fares and combined bus and Metrolink tickets will apply on buses across the borough before that date.

Ahead of the launch, the Mayor of Greater Manchester joined the Transport Commissioner and Local Authority leaders to set out how passengers will be better off with the Bee Network.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“It’s now just one month until we start to bring buses back under local control. With cheaper fares, new electric buses, earlier and later running services and improved customer information, people really will be better off with the Bee Network.

“We’ve reached an exciting moment on our journey to improve how people can travel across the city-region.  It was great to see our striking fleet of 50 new electric, yellow buses here in Greater Manchester, with the final touches now being applied before they start operating next month.

“The final countdown to the start of the Bee Network is well and truly on.”

To mark the one-month-to-go milestone, the first fleet of 50 new, Zero Emission, Bee Network-branded buses for Greater Manchester was unveiled by Mayor Andy Burnham and Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt during a visit to the depot in Wigan where they are being stored.

The city-region’s transport leaders have also outlined how public transport will be made safer for passengers.

30 new TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers (TSEOs) will be patrolling franchised bus services, interchanges and bus stations from 24 September. While TSEOs will focus on customer support and providing a reassuring presence, they will also carry out ticket inspections on buses.

Money generated from ticket sales is reinvested back into public transport services for the benefit of all passengers, and the new TSEOs are being introduced as part of a broader strategy to tackle fare evasion across all modes of public transport in Greater Manchester, with financial penalties – known as the Standard Fare – set to increase from £100 to £120 in the Autumn for anyone found travelling without a ticket on Metrolink or Bee Network bus services.

Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt said:

“The launch of bus franchising in one month is a significant milestone as we build an integrated public transport and active travel network that our residents, businesses and visitors deserve in a rapidly growing and thriving city-region.

“Delivering transport options that are safe, reliable, affordable and inclusive is essential in enabling further sustainable economic growth, new jobs and homes and access to education and leisure. 

“We continue to take action to make transport affordable, simpler to use and joined up. A single adult bus fare remains £2 with unlimited journeys available for £5 all day and the cost of a weekly bus pass remains capped at £21.

“Meanwhile, new combined bus and Metrolink fares from September will save customers 20 per cent compared to buying those fares separately.  On completion of bus franchising in January 2025, there will be full ‘tap and go’ integration of Metrolink and bus fares with train journeys brought within the system as soon as possible after that.  We’re delighted to present these positive changes to bus services, including clear commitments to our customers and a new fleet of state-of-the-art Zero Emission buses. This is just the beginning of the transport revolution in Greater Manchester.”

Alongside the Bee Network’s launch, TfGM has also launched a clear set of Customer Commitments to ensure passengers know what to expect from their trips. The six commitments – Safe, Accessible, Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Accountable – have been developed with input from the people of Greater Manchester.

Mayor Andy Burnham added:

“The Bee Network places accountability at its heart. The network will be run for the people of Greater Manchester, with public transport staff committed to delivering high-quality customer service.

“Our Customer Commitments are crystal clear. They set out what people should expect from their bus journeys and if things do go wrong, or people feel those commitments haven’t been met, we want people to then be able to hold transport operators and leaders to account.”