At Euro Bus Expo, British bus manufacturer, Mellor, is displaying a Strata LF bus produced for Greater Manchester’s franchised Bee Network.
21 Strata models featuring the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter underframe are already in service as part of the Bee Network. In January 2025, an additional 7 are set to commence operations as part of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)’s readied fleet.
The Strata LF buses have capacity for up to 22 passengers and up to 2 wheelchair spaces. These small buses form part of the Bee Network fleet alongside larger models manufactured by Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis.
The Mellor buses have been purchased to serve smaller communities, providing a compact for narrower roads in rural areas, which were often not prioritised by operators before franchising.
John Cliffe, Head of Operations at Mellor said:We couldn’t be prouder to support the Bee Network expansion with our vehicles. These vehicles not only improve access to public transport by offering enhanced operational efficiency through their compact size and low carbon emissions, but they also play a crucial role in connecting communities and reducing social isolation.
Notably, the buses are manufactured in Rochdale in the UK, thus supporting local jobs and the economy. Last month, the Mayor of Greater Manchester visited Mellor’s plant to see new buses roll off the production line and meet some of the apprentices whose roles have been created by Bee Network bus orders.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:As the first area to re-take control of our buses in almost 40 years, we are keeping fares down, improving the reliability and standard of buses and getting more people back onboard through the Bee Network.
We are also proving how investment in public transport supports economic growth, not just in Greater Manchester but across the UK, with franchise contracts and bus orders helping to secure jobs and deliver new ones – like those at Mellor in Rochdale.
