Bus services in Greater Manchester busier than ever, says TfGM

Bee Network buses are more popular and busier than ever, with “record numbers” of passengers using services on consecutive days in September, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

It reports that 295,577 passengers opted for Bee Network bus travel on 5 September 2024, beating the previous record of 293,743 set on 1 May 2024. But the record was beaten again the following day, when 305,626 used Bee Network bus services, it adds.

The patronage figures mark the first anniversary of the launch of the Bee Network to take buses under local control, with the third and final phase to be rolled out in south Manchester in January.

The Bee Network has made it possible to drive up reliability through timetable changes and adding extra buses where performance had previously not been good enough, increasing the public’s confidence in franchised services, says TfGM. It also pointed out that the Bee Network app has made bus travel “simple, convenient and attractive for customers”.

Stephen Rhodes, Director of Bus at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “This is hugely encouraging news and shows that our commitment to reliability, accessibility, affordability and safety on our bus network is resulting in more and more people wanting to travel with us.

“It’s a real boost to see patronage at this level nearly a year into the bus franchising process and a sign we are heading in the right direction as we look forward to bringing the rest of the network under public control next year.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I am delighted that so many people are now choosing to get on board our Bee Network buses to make their journeys, with new patronage records being set twice recently.

“We’re doing everything we can to make travelling by bus a pleasant and safe experience for everyone – and having so many people using Bee Network buses also helps us keep our fares low.”