Bee Network

The Bee Network is an integrated transport network for Greater Manchester, comprising bus, tram, cycling and walking routes. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is expected to have the network operational by 2025, with commuter rail services expected to be joining the network in 2028. Initially revealed in 2018, the project is aiming to create a London-style transport system, to encourage more people to take public transport instead of cars.

The design of the network is inspired around the Greater Manchester symbol, the worker bee, with bus and tram liveries coloured yellow and black to represent this.

History
Chris Boardman, the Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner published documents in 2017 settings out plans. The project would include 121 km of segregated cycling lanes, brand new electric buses, around 2900 km of new dedicated walking and cycling routes, 2,400 new road crossings and a new cycle hire scheme throughout the region.

Following on from the GMCA's decision to bring in a bus franchising scheme under the Bus Services Act 2017 in March 2021, the Bee Network concept was expanded to cover all forms of public transport - tram, bus and commuter rail - as well as active travel. The active travel component of the network was rebranded as the Bee Active Network.

A cycle hire scheme launched in late 2021 using Beryl bikes.

In June 2022, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced capped fares for buses from 2023 in order to help with cost-of-living rises. The new fares would see full day fares capped at GB£5, and single trips capped at GB£2.

The first fleet of 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV battery electric buses were rolled out across Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury and Salford on 24 September 2023. Go North West and Diamond North West have been awarded two large franchises and seven small franchises, respectively, displacing the current operations of Arriva North West, First Greater Manchester, Stagecoach Manchester and Vision Bus in this area. The fleet was expanded with an additional 50 Enviro400EV buses in Oldham, Rochdale and the remainder of Bury on 24 March 2024, as well as with 67 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMCs on services operated by Diamond North West.

Cycling
One of the major policies of the Bee Network is making it easy, safe and attractive for people to travel on foot or by bike for everyday trips. A large focus is being put on to cycling in this project, therefore TfGM are investing money in many things that encourage cycling in combination with Local Authorities such as cycling infrastructure, Cycle hire scheme, Cycle hubs and many courses to help people learn to ride a bike.

The Bee Network will include the UK's largest cycling and walking network, with 1,800 miles of routes and 2,400 new crossings. Active Neighbourhoods also form part of the Bee Network.

As a result of investment in cycling infrastructure, the City of Manchester was named as the first ACES European Capital of Cycling for 2024, following a bid submitted by Manchester City Council in September 2023.

Bus franchising
The bus network in Greater Manchester is partially deregulated, with local control of services having been removed in 1986 as a consequence of the Transport Act 1985. However, following the enactment of the Bus Services Act 2017, mayoral combined authorities like the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have had the power to bring buses back under the control of local government by means of a franchising scheme. The GMCA is the first combined authority to use the powers under the Act, and is in the process of re-regulating its system which will be implemented in three tranches from 2023 to 2025.

Tranche 1
Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury and Salford were the first areas to be brought under the new franchising scheme from 24 September 2023. Diamond North West and Go North West were awarded contracts to operate services in this area.

Tranche 2
The franchised area expanded to Oldham, Rochdale, the rest of Bury, further parts of Salford and north Manchester on 24 March 2024. Diamond North West, First Greater Manchester and Stagecoach Manchester were awarded contracts to operate services in this area.

Tranche 3
The remaining parts of Greater Manchester (Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and the rest of Manchester and Salford) will join the scheme from 5 January 2025. Metroline, Stagecoach Manchester, Go North West and Diamond North West have been awarded contracts to operate services in this area.

Railways
Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) signed a collaboration agreement in August 2023 to deliver upgrades and regeneration opportunities across Manchester and Salford’s central railway stations. The work will contribute toward the successful delivery of the Bee Network.

And as part of the integration of local rail services into the Bee Network, the first contactless payment on rail outside London is to be trialled on the Stalybridge to Victoria and Glossop to Piccadilly lines by early 2025. This will be followed by other lines, and a multi-modal fare cap introduced by 2030.

Commuter rail was expected to fully join the Bee Network by 2030 at the latest, creating a service similar to the London Overground, but in March 2024, the Mayor of Greater Manchester announced that the date for commuter rail to join the Bee Network is intended to be brought forward from 2030 to 2028.

He also announced the first eight routes planned to join the Bee Network, as follows:
 * Wigan Wallgate – Manchester Victoria
 * Stalybridge – Southport
 * Glossop/Hadfield – Manchester Piccadilly
 * Rose Hill Marple – Manchester Piccadilly
 * Buxton – Manchester Piccadilly
 * Alderley Edge – Manchester Piccadilly
 * Rochdale stopping services
 * Manchester Airport stopping services

In addition, a new station due to be opened at Golborne in Wigan in the mid-2020s will also be part of the Bee Network.

Design
The design of the network will be based around the worker bee. The worker bee is the most well known symbol representing the city and region, and was adopted during the industrial revolution. The liveries of the trams, buses and bikes will be yellow and black, representing the worker bee. The facilities supporting the network will also follow this design similar to the adoption of London Red across almost all public transport services, following the nationalisation of the London General Omnibus Company in 1933.