
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Bee Network franchise holder Go North West are to roll out 20 additional buses to improve punctuality and reliability on services.
With buses under local control via the Bee Network means that TfGM has, for the first time, much more information about how services are performing and can identify areas where improvements need to be made. To date, five buses have been added to services in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury and Salford since 7th April, and early indications are that they have had a positive effect on punctuality and reliability. From 28th April, a further 15 buses will be rolled on a number of services in Northern parts of Greater Manchester.
Following the launch of the Bee Network and the first phase of bus franchising in September 2023, several bus service improvements were made to Bee Network services in January including timetable changes on 44 bus services on the worst performing and most complained about routes.
Martin Shier, Head of Bus Network Design & Operations at TfGM, said:
“Building the Bee Network is about delivering benefits to bus passengers across Greater Manchester. Key to that is improving the frequency and reliability of bus services, and the introduction of 20 additional buses this month clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving public transport in the region.”
Currently franchised Bee Network bus services operate– in Wigan, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford and parts of north Manchester – equating to around 50% of the overall Greater Manchester bus network. Bus services in Stockport and the remaining parts of Greater Manchester will transfer over to the Bee Network by January 2025, with bus operator Stagecoach announced to take on the large Stockport franchise that will cover most of the borough’s bus services.