Giving us a better way to get from A to Bee
MILLIONS more trips will now be made on Bee Network buses every month after services in Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Salford and north Manchester were brought under local control.
Two hundred years since Greater Manchester launched a first-of-akind horse bus service between Pendleton and Manchester in 1824, the city-region continues to lead the way in transforming public transport by pioneering the return of locally controlled bus services.
Passengers will benefit from new and better buses, more frequent, earlier and later running services and better connections to first and last trams, improved customer information – with new features added to the Bee Network app including journey planning and bus tracking – and new Travelsafe Support and Enforcement Officers (TSEOS).
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We have a great and pioneering history when it comes to transport, as the birthplace of buses and the modern railway, so it’s fitting to once again be leading the way by bringing buses back under local control.
“This truly is another historic moment for Greater Manchester.”
The Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s vision for an integrated, accessible and affordable ‘Londonstyle’ transport system, which will change the way people travel across the city region.
It launched on 24 September 2023, with the successful implementation of the first phase of bus franchising across Wigan, Bolton and parts of Bury and Salford.
He says reports published weekly show that Bee Network bus services continue to be more reliable than before bus franchising and are outperforming services elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
Between 1 January and 19 March, 74.30% of Bee Network buses were on time, compared to 67.62% of commercial services and 62.75% for the same period last year prior to franchising.
The number of people using Bee Network services has also increased. Between 5 and 18 November average weekday patronage on Bee Network buses was 131,095 and this grew to 138,010 between 3 and 16 March – an increase of 5.27%, with a Bee Network high of 141,720 on 6 March and more than 17 million journeys so far.
The Bee Network also means that TFGM has, for the first time, much more information about how services are performing and can prioritise improvements to the worst performing or most complained about services.
Following changes to the first Bee Network services in January, TFGM, in collaboration with Go North West, will introduce 20 additional buses from April to improve punctuality and make the timetable more reliable for customers.
From 7 April five buses will be added to the V1/V2, 163, and 472/474 services and from 28 April a further 15 will be added to the 8, 10, 20/21/22, 501, 524, 575/576, 601-606, 607, 608/35, and 609 services.
The changes will initially be on a 12-month trial basis, during which punctuality improvements and associated patronage/revenue growth will be monitored, measured and evaluated to inform a decision as to whether the arrangement is extended.
Mayor Burnham added: “If you look at how Bee Network services are performing compared to before or the rest of the network then the proof really is in the pudding.
“It’s clear from the performance data we’re getting and the growing numbers of people using the Bee Network that we’re making a real difference, but we are by no means complacent – in fact quite the opposite.
“As we start this next exciting phase and look ahead to all buses coming under local control, I want to be clear that we want things to be better still and have an unwavering focus to deliver a Bee Network that works for you.”
Since launching in September 2023, passengers have also benefitted from 50 new zero emission buses, with more coming from this week and around 120 others in January 2025 – with more still to follow – as Greater Manchester strives to deliver a fully electric bus fleet by 2032.
Data available for the first 50 vehicles currently in service show they have travelled 925,000 miles, and this equates to a saving of 1,000 tonnes of CO2E.
The new Bee Network app has been downloaded over 315,000 times, and over 1.6 million journeys have been completed using app tickets. More than 13,000 customers have rated their journey, with customer feedback being used to make improvements.
Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester Vernon Everitt, said: “Today marks another major milestone on the journey towards delivering the Bee Network – an integrated London-style transport network for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.
“This is bringing together Metrolink trams, buses, suburban train services and active travel, all connected by simpler fares and ticketing and better travel information for customers.
“Bus passengers in Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Salford and north Manchester will see new zero emission buses and an upgraded Bee Network app from day one.
“Transport for Greater Manchester and our bus operators Stagecoach, First Bus and Diamond will then focus on progressively improving the punctuality and reliability of buses. They will also act on feedback from passengers who for the first time in almost 40 years have a voice in shaping their local bus services.”