Bee Network hailed as 'pioneering' as Andy Burnham speaks out on day of major milestone

New figures have revealed a huge rise in the number of bus passengers making journeys across Greater Manchester, 12 months after the city region took back control of its services.

The Bee Network - the first stage in the drive for a much-needed London-style public transport network here, joining up bus travel with Metrolink trams, trains, cycleways and walkways - launched on September 24 last year. It brought buses back under local control in Greater Manchester for the first time in almost 40 years.

Marking the anniversary today, Transport for Greater Manchester revealed nearly seven million more journeys have been made on the city region's buses compared with the previous year, an increase of five per cent. Bus patronage - travelling passengers - has increased from 155.5 million in 2022/23, to 162.3 million during 2023/24, TfGM said.

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Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, hailed 'the progress we've made' - and said bus services here are now cleaner, cheaper and more reliable than before. The figures, he added, were record numbers.

"The age and standard of our buses is better than ever, we've more staff, we’re keeping fares low and have launched more night buses for those working in our night-time economy," he said.

"The Bee Network is also delivering new jobs and apprenticeships both here in Greater Manchester and across the UK. And having control of our buses also means we can fund free bus travel for 16 to 18-year-olds. So, the cost of bus ticket need not be a barrier to work or study opportunities.

"As our pioneering Bee Network goes from strength to strength, it’s no surprise that others are looking to follow in our