Bee Network changes incoming

Alterations to Manchester’s franchised bus network are set to come into affect this Sunday (28 January 2024).

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has said it has worked closely with the operators of the Bee Network, focusing in particular on the worst performing and complained about routes. As a result, timetable changes are set to be introduced on 44 services from 28 January.

The changes mean that for some services there will be a change to departure times, for others arrival or departure times will change along the route in an effort to make the timetable more reliable for customers.

TfGM is also in discussions with Go North West, operator of the two largest franchises, about bringing in additional buses as part of a planned timetable change in April. This will further help to improve bus punctuality and reliability on services, as well as providing extra capacity.

Bus services in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury and Salford came under the region’s bus franchising scheme in September last year.

The next phase of franchising will see buses in Oldham, Rochdale, and parts of Bury, Salford and north Manchester come under local control on 24 March 2024, with the remainder of Greater Manchester bus services planned to join the Bee Network in January 2025.