Buzzing nightlife – Bee Network night buses launching
A new 24/7 night bus service in Greater Manchester is launching overnight this Sunday (1 September).
Connecting Manchester with Leigh and Bolton via Salford, the V1 and 36 will now run at least every hour in each direction, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and on most bank holidays.
Both routes also serve areas which were among the first to be taken over by the franchised Bee Network in September 2023, and whose buses are now under local control for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Night buses will also use the same capped bus fares first introduced in 2022 to provide a simplified ticket offer consistent across all bus services in Greater Manchester.
“Ensuring that everyone working in our night-time economy can access safe, reliable, around-the-clock public transport is hugely important” – Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Ensuring that everyone working in our night-time economy can access safe, reliable, around-the-clock public transport is hugely important as our thriving region continues to grow.
“We know that people have been crying out for better night transport, and it was clear to us that Greater Manchester can only realise its potential as a catalyst for growth if we have the right infrastructure to get people to and from employment centres whatever the time, day or night.
“Night buses will provide a lifeline to those working in this vitally important sector, which includes health and social care, bars and clubs, distribution centres, where shifts can go on into the night and early morning when public transport options are scarce and personal safety may be a concern.
“I am delighted that tens of thousands of people in Greater Manchester will now be able to benefit from this pilot from Sunday onwards, and it is just another example of the Bee Network providing the platform to develop the services that best serve people and businesses across our city region.”
The night buses come in time for the return of students to the region as the new academic term begins. Students are thought to be one of the most likely people to benefit from the services.
The launch of the pilot will see TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers (TSEOs) deployed to provide extra reassurance and visibility to the night services. As part of the pilot scheme Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is also partnering with Strut Safe, a volunteer-operated support line which offers people a friendly voice to keep them company when walking between a bus and their front door.
“Providing late-night bus services was one of our ambitions when developing the Bee Network” – Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “Providing late-night bus services was one of our ambitions when developing the Bee Network and it’s a core part of the overall plan to improve public transport in all parts of Greater Manchester.
“Safe, reliable and affordable transport is essential to enabling Greater Manchester’s sustainable economic growth and higher productivity and our night-time economy plays a huge role in this. With hundreds of thousands of people working late and into the early hours, it’s only right that we offer better public transport options.
“The safety and security of our passengers and hard-working staff is of paramount importance to us with our TravelSafe Officers providing a visible presence to go alongside on board CCTV and the support of organisations such as Strutsafe. We continue to explore the potential for further action to improve safety, and the perception of safety, across public transport and active travel as part of our zero tolerance towards crime and antisocial behaviour.”