Walking and cycling surge across Greater Manchester as Bee Network expands
Greater Manchester residents are walking and cycling more than ever, with over 700 million active travel trips recorded in 2025 – thanks to major investment in the Bee Network. The latest Active Travel Annual Report has now been published, and highlights that where infrastructure has been completed, active travel rates have surged – demonstrating how […]
Bee Network launches new bus route one year on from completion of bus franchising
A new all electric Bee Network service is now live in Salford, connecting the city region’s fastest growing population with retail and economic hubs, previously an underserved area. Launched on 4 January, the new 30 service is now operating from the Trafford Centre through Trafford Park, to MediaCity, along Ordsall Lane and to the City […]
Greater Manchester launches major public consultation on future transport plans
People who live, work, travel, visit, or study in Greater Manchester (GM) are invited to help shape the future of travel in the city region by giving their views on the GM Transport Strategy 2050 and the GM Transport Delivery Plan (2027–37). These ambitious transport plans have been developed alongside the 10 local councils and […]
TfGM launches £400m, first-of-its kind advertising contract as part of Bee Network shelter upgrades
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched a landmark tender for the Bee Network bus and Metrolink shelters, as part of wider plans to improve and modernise the waiting experience for passengers and deliver significant advertising opportunities across shelters and interchanges. The collective tendering of advertising rights across multiple modes of transport by a single […]
Further steps announced to help travellers during Bee Network strike
Further steps announced have been announced to help people get around during planned industrial action by some bus operators in Greater Manchester. Bus passengers will be able to travel on most trains running in parts of Greater Manchester affected by the upcoming industrial action, when around two-thirds of buses are not expected to run. It’s […]
More strikes add further disruption to Manchester Bee Network bus services
Three additional strike dates at Manchester’s Bee Network have been announced by Unite, the union representing workers in passenger transport. Over 2,000 workers involved in the dispute are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester and First Bus Rochdale – firms which are among those that make up the bus section of the integrated Bee Network. Workers […]
Bus workers strike to cause mass disruption to Bee Network
Serious disruption to bus services in Greater Manchester is expected later this month when more than 2000 Unite members including bus drivers working for the city’s Bee Network walk out in a co-ordinated strike. The workers are employed by Stagecoach, Metroline Manchester and First Bus Rochdale. At Stagecoach, around 1000 drivers based across the Oldham, […]
Greater Manchester set for £6m tram and train expansion
Transport leaders in Greater Manchester have confirmed a pipeline of future ‘rapid transit’ schemes, with funding signed off by the Bee Network Committee and the plans discussed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Launched as part of the Greater Manchester Strategy in July, the Mayor and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in […]
£20.7million Bee Network boost for Active Travel
Greater Manchester is set to benefit from more than £20 million of investment in sustainable and active modes of travel. From building new crossings and improving pavements to expanding the cycle hire scheme, the latest funding allocation – agreed at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) – is part of a continued […]
Bee Network hits 10 million contactless ‘tap and go’ bus journeys in four months
Since its launch on 24 March, more than 1.1 million individual customers have used contactless tap and go on buses, with the milestone 10 millionth journey being made on a 143 service from St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary. Of all journeys made on Bee Network buses by paying adult passengers, more than half (57%) […]