Extra bee network buses rolled out to some Greater Manchester routes

Extra buses will rolled out across Greater Manchester this month in a move aimed at making services more reliable and on time. The additional Bee Network buses are expected to boost services on several routes in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury and Salford.

In total, 20 additional buses are being rolled out in April. According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which is working in collaboration with Go North West, these extra buses will help improve punctuality and reliability, as well as providing extra capacity.

So far, five buses have been added to the network since April 7, including on the V1, V2, 163, 472 and 474 routes. According to TfGM, early indications are that these five buses have already had a positive effect on punctuality and reliability of services on these routes.

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From April 28, a further 15 buses will be added to the 8, 10, 20, 21, 22, 501, 524, 575, 576, 601-606, 607, 608, 35 and 609 services. Passengers are encouraged to check any changes to services by visiting a Travelshop or checking the Bee Network app or website.

Information will also be updated on bus stops. The move comes as buses are brought under public control in Greater Manchester.

The first phase of bus franchising saw the new Bee Network launched in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Salford and Bury in September. Since then, timetable changes have been introduced on 44 bus services on the worst performing and most complained about routes.

Last month, the new publicly controlled Bee Network was rolled out in Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Bury and north Manchester. But as with the first phase six months earlier, the new franchised bus system ran into some 'teething troubles' blamed on 'driver availability'.

According to TfGM, with buses now under local control, the Bee Network means that TfGM has, for the first time, much more information about how services are performing and can identify areas where improvements need to be made.

Martin Shier, Head of Bus Network Design & Operations at TfGM, said: "Building the Bee Network is about delivering benefits to bus passengers across Greater Manchester. Key to that is improving the frequency and reliability of bus services, and the introduction of 20 additional buses this month clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving public transport in the region."

Around half of Greater Manchester's bus network is now publicly controlled. The rest of the network will be franchised next year.