Bee Network

The Bee Network is an integrated transport network for Greater Manchester, composed of bus, tram, cycling and walking routes. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is expected to have the network operational by 2024, with commuter rail services expected to be joining the network in 2030. 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.[1]

System logo
A Bee Network Wright StreetDeck bus operated by Diamond North West in Bolton in May 2023
Bee Network Beryl hire cycles on Oxford Road in Manchester in October 2022

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.[2]

History

Chris Boardman, the Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner published documents in 2017 settings 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.

A cycle hire scheme launched in late 2021 using Beryl bikes.[6]

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 £5, and single trips capped at £2.[7]

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.[8][9] The fleet will be expanded by an additional 50 Enviro400EV buses in Oldham, Rochdale and the remainder of Bury in March 2024,[8][10] as well as with 67 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMCs on services operated by Diamond North West in early 2024,[11]

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.

Furthermore, the City of Manchester has made a bid to become the first ACES European Capital of Cycling in 2024.

Active Neighbourhoods[12] form part of the Bee Network.[13]

Bus franchising
See also: Bus Services Act 2017 § Franchising schemes

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,[14] 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.[8][15]

Tranche 2

Oldham, Rochdale, the rest of Bury, further parts of Salford and north Manchester will be franchised from 24 March 2024. Diamond North West, First Greater Manchester and Stagecoach Manchester have been awarded contracts to operate services in this area.[16][17]

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. As of August 2023 the bidding process for contracts to operate services in this area is ongoing.

Railways

Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have signed a collaboration agreement to deliver upgrades and regeneration opportunities across Manchester and Salford’s central railway stations.[18]

In addition, the first contactless trial on rail outside of London is to be done on the Stalybridge to Victoria line as well as the Glossop to Piccadilly line by early 2025.

Commuter rail is expected to join the Bee Network by 2030 at the latest. It will create services similar to the London Overground.

Along with the rail services being brought under the network, a new station is planned to be built at Golborne. It is expected to be open by the end of 2025.

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]

References
  1. "The Bee Network". TfGM Bee Active. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  2. "Greater Manchester transport: Bee Network design revealed". BBC News. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  3. Boardman, Chris (December 2017). "Made to Move - 15 steps to transform Greater Manchester, by changing the way we get around" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  4. "Manchester makes a Beeline for new Dutch-style cycling network". The Guardian. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  5. "Bee Network explained to making getting from A to B easier in Bolton". The Bolton News. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  6. Cox, Charlotte (27 January 2022). "How is Greater Manchester's new bike hire scheme going two months in?". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  7. "Greater Manchester capped bus fares could start in September, mayor says". BBC News. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  8. Deakin, Tim (24 December 2022). "Go-Ahead wins initial Manchester large bus franchises". Route One. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  9. "Greater Manchester appoints first bus operators for new system". BBC News. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  10. "TfGM orders 50 Enviro400EVs for Bee Network". Route One. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  11. "Rotala orders 67 Enviro200s for Manchester franchises". routeone. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  12. "Active Neighbourhoods | TfGM Bee Active". Transport for Greater Manchester.
  13. "Parsonage Road safer streets". Manchester City Council.
  14. Topham, Gwyn (8 October 2019). "Manchester to consult on bringing buses under public control". The Guardian.
  15. Vesty, Helena (24 September 2023). "I got up at 3.30am to travel on the first revolutionary Bee Network bus... this is what it was like". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  16. Davies, Ethan (23 June 2023). "Go North West is out as Stagecoach handed new Bee Network contract". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  17. "Stagecoach wins in Manchester bus franchising second tranche". Route One. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  18. May, Tiana (2 August 2023). "TfGM and Network Rail to Deliver Upgrades at 6 Stations in Greater Manchester". Railway-News.
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