Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is due to make 36 service changes in the biggest revamp of the Bee Network since bus franchising was completed in the region in January 2026.
More night buses, new routes, and better connections to key employment and visitor destinations have been unveiled by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Subject to final costings and approval, the changes are set to be implemented during the 2026/27 financial year.
The changes will result in services covering an additional 2.5 million kilometres across the conurbation, with every area of the region benefiting.
The addition of five new night buses will bring 24-hour services to more areas, including Oldham, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford, meaning that all-night connectivity is provided in all 10 boroughs on Thursday to Saturday.
Improved connections to destinations such as Manchester Airport, Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale, Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton, MediaCity in Salford and the Trafford Centre are also part of the plan.
Additional capacity on the busy Oxford Road is also promised, along with increased frequency on other routes.
TfGM says that the expanded network will benefit up to 740,000 people living within walking or cycling distance of the improved routes, more than half of whom live in more deprived areas.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, says: “These changes will benefit people right across Greater Manchester. They have come about as a direct result of your feedback and support for the Bee Network and have been made possible by the decision we took to bring our buses back under local control.
“By expanding Bee Network night buses to every borough, and providing more frequent services to key employment locations, we are creating more ways for people to access jobs and opportunities across the region.
“This is just the start. As we continue to lead the way on economic growth, so will we continue to lead the way on transforming the Bee Network, setting us up for another decade of good growth so that everyone in Greater Manchester can live a good life.”
TfGM notes that 80 improvements to bus services have already been delivered through bus franchising, which began to be rolled out in September 2024.
It points to the Department for Transport’s annual bus statistics, which highlight that Greater Manchester’s bus mileage increased by 7% in the 12 months up to March 2025. This compares with the average across Great Britain of 2.4%.
Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, says: “The Bee Network is doing exactly what it was created to do, delivering reliable, affordable and better-connected transport for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.
“These improvements show how local control is already transforming services: linking workers to jobs, supporting our shops, hospitality and nighttime economy, and making it easier for families and communities to travel right across the city-region.
“As we continue to integrate and expand the network, we are focused on making everyday life easier and opening up new opportunities for everyone who lives, works or invests in Greater Manchester.”
