Chris Boardman, the Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner published documents in 2017 setting out plans.[3] The project would include 121 kilometres (75 mi) of segregated cycling lanes, brand new electric buses, around 2,900 kilometres (1,800 mi) of new dedicated walking and cycling routes, 2,400 new road crossings and a new cycle hire scheme throughout the region.[4][5]
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.
In November 2024, following an agreement between transport officials and credit unions, a new annual bus ticket will be announced in 2025 upon to the full implementation of Bee Network bus franchising, along with a £2 "hopper fee".[8]
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.[13][14]
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.[15]
Bee Network buses operated by Stagecoach Manchester at Oldham bus station in April 2024Audio-visual bus stop announcement system in a Bee Network bus, showing the upcoming two bus stops
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,[16] and is in the process of re-regulating its system which will be implemented in three tranches from 2023 to 2025.
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.[21] 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.[22]
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:[23][24]
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.[25]
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[2] similar to the adoption of London Red across almost all public transport services, following the nationalisation of the London General Omnibus Company in 1933.
Notes
^The announcement of a £2 single bus journey fare cap in Greater Manchester inspired the creation of a national scheme by the Department for Transport, where from 1 January 2023 all bus fares are subsidised to a maximum of £2 in England only.
