Following the launch of the Bee Network in Manchester, Graham Vidler, CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, the trade association for the UK’s bus and coach sector, said: “Operators are working hard with the Combined Authority to make a success of the new bus network in Manchester. Buses account for three quarters of all public transport journeys in Greater Manchester and there’s room to grow the role of bus even more.
Andy Burnham (R), Mayor of Greater Manchester, meets Go-Ahead drivers involved in operating the city’s first franchised buses, along with Nigel Featham, Managing Director of Go North West (centre). Image: Go-Ahead
“The launch of the Bee Network is just the start. We also need a package of bus priority measures which reduce congestion, speed up journey times, keep fares low and ensure buses are reliable – factors we know are important for passengers.
“The industry looks forward to working closely with the Combined Authority and the Mayor to ensure passengers reap the benefits of improved bus services.”
The first Bee Network buses left depots in Bolton and Wigan on Sunday (24/09/2023), marking the start of a new era for public transport in Greater Manchester.
A fleet of 320 buses will operate 50 routes – the first piece in place of a network eventually intended to span buses, trams, trains and bikes across the city.
The mobilisation marked a culmination of months of preparation by a team of 600 people at Go North West, which won the first two contracts to operate Bee Network buses. Go North West’s parent company, The Go-Ahead Group, deployed bus drivers from across the UK to help with this weekend’s launch.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was at Bolton’s Weston Street bus depot to see off the first bus, along with Christian Schreyer, Chief Executive of The Go-Ahead Group.
Andy Burnham, said the launch of the network – and particularly the introduction of franchising for buses – was “devolution in England coming of age … It’s a major decision that will have a significant impact on people’s lives”.
Nigel Featham, Managing Director, Go North West, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to welcome the first customers on board our Bee Network buses – the response we’ve had from the public today has been terrific.
“We’ve been preparing for today’s launch for many months and it’s fantastic to see the buses out on the road. This is, of course, only the start of the Bee Network and there is a lot of work still to come. But our goal is to work with the Mayor to deliver world class transport for a world class city, Manchester.”
Norman Baker from Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Greater Manchester’s groundbreaking Bee Network will be the first integrated transport system of its kind in 40 years.
“It’s fantastic to see how this will benefit Manchester, beginning with the first phase of Bee buses being brought under local control, while the network’s new app and website will make planning and paying for journeys simple and seamless.”
Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner, has welcomed the transformation that the launch of the Bee Network will bring.
He said: “The new Bee Network, alongside the first phase releases of a new app and website and an integrated contact centre, will help us to usher in a new era of joined up public transport and active travel in the region.
“Better transport will help grow the region’s economy and productivity, delivering new homes, jobs and inclusivity.
“The Rate Your Journey facility on the app will allow passengers to have their say directly to us and bus operators, bringing sharper accountability for services and shaping further improvements to the Bee Network.
“All buses will be franchised by January 2025, enabling full ‘tap and go’ integrated ticketing across Metrolink and buses. We are also working with the rail industry to begin bringing tap and go payment to the region’s rail network in 2025 as part of fully joining up all public transport services and cycle hire.”
