Bee Network
The Bee Network is Greater Manchester's publicly controlled integrated transport system, encompassing franchised bus services, Metrolink trams, and future rail connections, designed to deliver seamless, affordable travel across the region.[1][2] Launched in phases starting on 24 September 2023, it represents the first major re-franchising of buses since the 1986 deregulation, with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) overseeing operations to prioritize reliability, frequency, and accessibility over private profit motives.[3][4] Key features include a unified yellow livery for buses, the Bee card for contactless payments with capped fares at £2 for single journeys, and a dedicated app for real-time tracking and journey planning, aiming to reduce fragmentation in the previously privatized network.[1][5] By mid-2025, the network had expanded to cover most of Greater Manchester, adding new routes like the 629 service between Golborne and Platt Bridge, while integrating active travel options such as cycling infrastructure.[6][7] Early assessments indicate improved service reliability in some areas, with passengers reporting more consistent buses under public control.[8] Despite these advances, the rollout has encountered challenges, including initial teething problems with school routes leading to complaints, industrial action by drivers over pay in September 2025, and technical issues like 'card clash' risks during the introduction of system-wide tap-in/out ticketing in March 2025.[9][10][11] TfGM has addressed these through operational adjustments and warnings against scams mimicking network promotions, underscoring ongoing efforts to stabilize the system amid its ambitious scale.[12]
History
Origins and Legislative Background
The deregulation of bus services in England and Wales under the Transport Act 1985, which took effect on 26 October 1986, marked the origins of the challenges that later prompted the creation of the Bee Network. This legislation abolished quantity licensing for bus routes outside London, allowing private operators to register services freely while privatizing municipally owned fleets, with the aim of fostering competition and efficiency. However, in Greater Manchester, it resulted in route fragmentation, service withdrawals in less profitable areas, and a 40% decline in bus mileage by the early 2000s, exacerbating urban congestion and reducing accessibility.[13][14] The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), established on 1 April 2011 to coordinate regional transport, initially operated under the deregulated framework but gained enhanced powers through a 2014 devolution agreement. The election of Andy Burnham as the first Mayor of Greater Manchester on 4 May 2017 shifted focus toward re-regulation, with Burnham announcing in December 2017 an intention to pursue bus franchising to restore local control over routes, fares, and standards. This ambition was enabled by the Bus Services Act 2017, enacted on 19 April 2017, which amended the Transport Act 2000 to empower mayoral combined authorities to implement franchising schemes without requiring approval from the Secretary of State for Transport, provided they followed statutory consultations and assessments. The Act also introduced advanced quality partnerships as an interim option but prioritized franchising for areas seeking comprehensive oversight.[13][15] Following public consultations from October 2020 to January 2021 and an independent assessment confirming economic viability, Mayor Burnham approved the Greater Manchester Bus Franchising Scheme on 25 March 2021, initiating the tendering process for operators under the Bee Network brand. This decision positioned Greater Manchester as the first region outside London to fully franchise buses since deregulation, reversing the privatized model by specifying service requirements while contracting private operators to deliver them. The legislative framework required the GMCA to demonstrate that franchising would improve services without undue financial risk, a threshold met through projected benefits including stabilized fares and network integration with trams and cycling.[14][16][13]Planning and Announcement
On 25 March 2021, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham formally announced the decision to pursue bus franchising under powers granted by the Bus Services Act 2017, aiming to restore public control over local bus services deregulated since 1986.[17][18] This followed an initial consultation launched by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in October 2019, which evaluated franchising against alternatives like enhanced partnerships with private operators, with franchising selected for its potential to enable integrated ticketing, fare regulation, and service prioritization.[3] The planning process included statutory assessments of economic, social, and environmental impacts, as required by legislation, alongside procurement preparations for operators to deliver standardized yellow-and-black liveried vehicles under TfGM specifications. In December 2021, the formal franchising process commenced with invitations to tender planned for the first phase, targeting northern and western areas including Bolton, Wigan, and parts of Salford and Manchester.[19] A detailed timeline was unveiled on 14 March 2022, outlining a phased rollout: Tranche 1 operational from autumn 2023, followed by Tranche 2 (Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and parts of Manchester, Salford, and Tameside) in 2024, and Tranche 3 (remaining areas including Stockport, Trafford, and Tameside) by late 2024.[20][21] The Bee Network name, drawing from Greater Manchester's worker bee emblem, was adopted to signify an integrated system linking buses with trams, cycling, and walking routes, with announcements emphasizing improved reliability, accessibility, and a single fare cap.[22] Challenges during planning included a judicial review by bus operators in early 2022, dismissed on 9 March, affirming the franchising assessment's validity and allowing procurement to proceed.[23] By January 2023, contract awards for Tranche 1 operators were revealed, setting the stage for the network's initial launch on 24 September 2023.[24]Phased Implementation Timeline
The Bee Network's bus franchising was implemented in three tranches, transitioning services from the deregulated market to publicly controlled contracts managed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). This phased approach allowed for gradual integration, testing of systems like the contactless payment "hopper" fare, and operator transitions while minimizing disruptions.[3][25]| Tranche | Rollout Date | Areas Covered | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 September 2023 | Wigan, Bolton, and parts of Bury and Salford | Initial rollout covered approximately 100 routes with operators such as Stagecoach and Arriva shifting to franchised contracts; introduced Bee Network branding, unified ticketing, and real-time information.[25][4] |
| 2 | 24 March 2024 | Rochdale, Oldham, and additional parts of Bury | Expanded to over 150 routes, incorporating further operator adjustments and enhancements to service frequency in response to early feedback from Tranche 1.[4] |
| 3 | 5 January 2025 | Remaining areas including central Manchester, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Salford | Completed franchising of all 577 bus routes and 1,600 vehicles across Greater Manchester, achieving full integration with standardized yellow liveried fleet and £2 hopper fares valid for 1-2 hours.[26][27][28] |