All eyes on Greater Manchester as the Bee Network begins to prove the case for local control of public transport 

What’s the story so far for bus franchising in Greater Manchester?  

An ever-growing fleet of bright yellow buses sums up the sunny mood from Greater Manchester’s pioneering public transport revolution, where the first anniversary of the first phase of bus franchising has brought encouraging news.  

Passenger numbers, reliability and punctuality are all reported to be up in the areas where franchised Bee Network buses first started operating in September 2023. Farebox takings for those services are £3m higher than anticipated and any surplus can now be invested in services for local people rather than falling directly into the coffers of commercial operators.  

From 5 January 2025, every bus in Greater Manchester will be part of the Bee Network – the city-region’s vision for a ‘London-style’ transport network that joins together journeys by bus, tram, active travel (walking, cycling and wheeling), and eventually eight local commuter rail routes. Local transport authorities across England will be watching closely, with mayoral authorities in Liverpool and Birmingham among those who have already declared a commitment to controlling their buses too.  

By the end of the decade, people in Greater Manchester should be able to tap in and out on any Bee Network bus, tram, train or bicycle, no matter where they plan to travel, and pay a capped fare.  

Why is public transport outside of London so different?  

Greater Manchester is the first area outside London to re-regulate its buses in almost 40 years. To understand the significance of that it’s necessary to consider that people’s experiences of public transport is very different outside London. Many bus services are operated in the interests of shareholders rather than local people. Commercial interest dictates that buses often operate where they’re going to make the most money rather than deliver the most social impact. Travelling with different operators to get from A to B, and using different modes of transport, often means paying for multiple tickets. There are no guarantees that services will turn up on time, or even show up at all.  

What are the broader benefits of locally controlled public transport?  

Bus franchising at the heart of an integrated transport network in Greater Manchester is about much more than improving the passenger experience. Local political leaders see public transport as an enabler for social mobility and economic growth. Connecting people and places in Greater Manchester through improved provision of public transport and active travel can be a major catalyst for change – improving access to education, skills and employment, and increasing the impact of Greater Manchester’s economic boom beyond the regional centre.  

What challenges did Greater Manchester face in introducing bus franchising?  

Greater Manchester’s pioneering approach to bus franchising is the culmination of a succession of hard-fought firsts for the city-region, starting with the radical regional devolution deal that saw the Greater Manchester Agreement struck by then Chancellor George Osborne in 2014. The powers afforded to the elected Metro Mayor Andy Burnham included the ability to set the rules for local bus services, including the routes, timetables and fares.  

The Bus Services Act (2017) enabled local transport authorities to create partnership schemes to improve bus services in their areas, and to introduce advanced ticketing schemes. Understandably, commercial operators were opposed to franchising and Greater Manchester’s plans, but ultimately failed to block franchising through a judicial review.  

Following two public consultations, Mr. Burnham announced in 2019 that he had decided to bring Greater Manchester’s buses under local control. The clock started ticking towards the launch of the first phase of the Bee Network in September 2023, requiring multiple franchise deals to be agreed with commercial operators who will now be accountable to local people.  

A significant challenge for Greater Manchester and other local transport authorities is the transition from being a political and strategic organisation to that of a commercial entity managing physical services.   

What’s next for the Bee Network?  

There’s still an awful lot of work to do. Bringing together services under the Bee Network brand is a major undertaking. Alongside changes to tickets and timetables there are considerations for the employees of franchise operators. Around 1,650 buses will be rebranded. Next steps for the Bee Network will include fuller integration with Greater Manchester’s Metrolink light rail network, then the integration of eight commuter rail lines.  

In practical terms, accountability will require Greater Manchester to listen and respond to customers and make continuous improvements. Further communication and engagement with local communities is already underway through a series of Bee Network reviews of franchised bus services. This could require more than a dozen distinct rounds of public consultation as it rolls through the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, ensuring that local people have their say on the best possible use of the resources available through the Bee Network.   

How easy will it be for others to follow Greater Manchester’s lead?  

Labour’s 2024 election manifesto included a commitment to reforming the system for procuring bus services. It said it would give local leaders new powers to franchise local bus services and would lift the ban on municipal ownership. Greater Manchester’s success has been hard-fought. The Labour Party argued that current processes for local authorities to set up bus franchising are too slow, stating that “Greater Manchester endured a six-year slog due to unnecessary barriers imposed by central government”.  

It said that under its plans, franchising would be done “in as little as two years”. That means major changes for local transport authorities across England and for commercial bus operators, who will want to be able to win the right to run franchised services on their behalf. Greater Manchester’s initial success suggests that all eyes will continue to be on the Bee Network.