Greater Manchester is preparing to take full control of its bus network, with a fleet of yellow Bee Network buses set to launch on 5 January 2025.
A recent 71 million GBP investment by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will further expand the fleet, adding dozens more buses to the city-region’s public transport network.
These vehicles will enhance and expand the Bee Network’s services, which commenced in the north and west of the city-region last year.
Several Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites in the area are being used to store the new vehicles before the full launch.
Mayor Andy Burnham stated:We’re pulling out all the stops to ensure we hit the ground running on 5 January. It will be a huge moment in realising our ambitions for the Bee Network and see Greater Manchester once again making history.
The Bee Network aims to improve the quality and accessibility of buses in Greater Manchester by taking services back under local control. Hundreds of new buses with enhanced accessibility features are already operating, and the latest funding will help secure a modern fleet for the remaining 48% of services, covering Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and parts of Manchester and Salford.
The first 140 new buses, made in the UK, have already arrived at six MOD sites for storage.
The latest funding decision includes a budget for an additional 94 zero-emission electric buses and 72 Euro VI buses from Stagecoach. These additions, compliant with government clean air standards, will replace older models and provide extra buses to strengthen the network.
