Enhancements Slated for the Upgrade of Greater Manchester's Bee Transport System

In a move to enhance public transportation in the region, Greater Manchester's Bee Network is set to introduce several new routes and increase frequency on existing lines. The changes, scheduled for implementation from July 21, aim to make travel more accessible, affordable, and eco-friendly.

Starting from July 21, a new Bee Network route, numbered 631, will commence operations between Wigan Bus Station and Standish Leisure Centre. This route will serve key locations such as the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and local housing developments. The 631 is the second entirely new Bee Network route, following the launch of the 615 between Wigan and Middlebrook Retail Park.

In addition to the new route, services 607 and 608 between Bolton, Leigh, Hindley, and Wigan will have their weekday frequency restored to pre-Covid levels. Evening services on these routes will also double to every 30 minutes. These improvements are part of the Bee Network's plan to increase service frequency on six key routes between Bolton, Leigh, Wigan, and Manchester.

The Bee Network's expansion also includes the proposal of new night bus routes on the 135 (Manchester - Prestwich - Bury) and 17/17a (Manchester - Middleton - Rochdale) routes. If approved, these night buses would run hourly on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, connecting cities such as Manchester, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, and Salford with night services. The existing V1 and 36 night buses, introduced as a pilot in September 2024, will be extended at least until the end of the 2025/26 financial year.

The Guided Busway services between Leigh, Tyldesley, and Manchester will also see improvements. During the busiest morning peak period, these services will operate every four minutes, with additional afternoon departures. Routes 610 and 611 between Leigh, Golborne, and Wigan will also see frequency increases during evenings and on Sundays.

The 582 will run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes, with evening and Sunday frequency improvements. Six routes will see increased frequency if proposals are approved, including the 582 between Bolton, Atherton, and Leigh.

Public transport is one of seven key areas underpinning Greater Manchester's future vision, and the city-region plans to continue investing in the Bee Network to transform how people get around. The Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) sets a target for 90% of the city-region's population to live within 400 metres of a bus or tram service running at least every 30 minutes by 2030. Currently, 43.7% of Greater Manchester's population live within 400 metres of a high-frequency service running every 12 minutes or less on weekdays. With these new initiatives, the proportion of the population living within such proximity is expected to more than double by 2030.

The Bee Network is part of Greater Manchester's efforts to make the region a growth success story by providing a cleaner, greener, and more affordable public transport system. These changes are a significant step towards achieving that goal, making travel in Greater Manchester more convenient, accessible, and sustainable.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the introduction of night buses in Oldham, Tameside, and Trafford, as well as other public transport improvements, including the integration of rail lines. These discussions underscore the Bee Network's commitment to continually improving public transportation in Greater Manchester, ensuring it meets the needs of its growing population and economy.

Enhancements Slated for the Upgrade of Greater Manchester's Bee Transport System