Bee Network committee holds first meeting

A meeting of the newly formed Bee Network Committee has taken place.

The group replaces the former Greater Manchester Transport Committee and leads transport decision-making at a regional level, taking greater ownership and responsibility for the transport system, including the region’s franchised bus network.
It is made up of 16 members, including Chair Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, and Vice Chair Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council and Portfolio Holder for Technical Education & Skills and Clean Air for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. There is also one councillor from each of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities and four councillors appointed by the Mayor for political balance.

The new governance arrangements are intended to give more opportunities for local councillors to influence transport policy and services in their area and better hold TfGM and other agencies to account for the operational performance of the network. These will include opportunities for local members to inform reviews of the transport network, including regular reviews of the franchised bus network, through direct engagement and consultation.

Items on the agenda during the first meeting included the Greater Manchester Bus Strategy, Bee Network fares and products, and an extension to the Metrolink contract.