Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is to open a programme of strategic network reviews of bus services that form part of the franchised Bee Network. All areas of the conurbation will be subject to the exercise within three years with a view to identifying and deploying improvements.
TfGM will commence the exercise in Bolton and Wigan before expanding it to every borough in Greater Manchester in the order that franchising is being rolled out.
Communities, businesses, elected representatives and local authorities will be consulted, with priority given to ideas that deliver the biggest benefits to the most people when funding and other resources are considered, TfGM says.
Separately, a programme of “thematic reviews” of Bee Network services will start from January 2025 to explore opportunities for things such as night buses, orbital services, and “priority routes.”
Thematic work and strategic network reviews are part of a range of options for service changes, TfGM adds. Smaller interventions such as timetable, route or fleet amendments will potentially sit alongside heavier work that could require formal consultation.
The body notes that various improvements have already been introduced or announced, such as later journeys, uplifted connectivity with other modes, and planned overnight journeys on two routes that form part of the first tranche of franchising to go live in 2023.
The strategic network review approach will deal with “more substantial, in-depth changes with a view to improving the Bee Network over the longer term,” TfGM continues. It is expected that those strategic reviews will take between 12 and 18 months to carry out.
Speaking about the work, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester Vernon Everitt says: “Striving for continuous improvement is at the heart of delivering the Bee Network and achieving the high standards of service our customers rightly expect.
“Through these network reviews, we will work with district authorities and local communities to ensure that bus services meet their needs.”
Mr Everitt adds that completion of the franchising rollout in January 2025 will allow introduction of tap-and-go ticketing shortly afterwards that links bus and Metrolink tram journeys and ensures “that customers always pay the lowest fare for their travel.”
