Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is determined to introduce a London-style integrated transport system to Greater Manchester as part of the allocation of new bus franchises in the region.
"A tap in tap out" system is envisaged similiar to that used in Greater London and as part of the strategy it is proposed that train, buses
and bikes will all form part of a joined up transport system, where up to 3 million people will be able to coordinate their travel plans in Greater Manchester.
As part of the "Bee Network" contracts have already been signed with two firms to run buses in Bury, Bolton, wigan and parts of Salford.
This franchising model is part of plans to bring transport in the region back into public hands, it involves fares, timetables and services
being controlled by the public, there wil be financial penalties for poor performance written into the five-year contracts for services. There will be 50 new electric powered buses with the Bee Network yellow livery.
The changes will come into effect in Oldham and Rochdale in March 2024 and Manchester, Trafford, Stockport and Tameside in January 2025; it will be the UK’s first zero carbon public transport system.
