Plans for new 'state of the art' electric bus depot at 13-acre site

A huge new electric bus depot is being planned for Greater Manchester, with a 'potential site' in north Manchester already earmarked for the 'state of the art' development.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) hope to buy a sprawling plot of land from Manchester city council in what's said to be a £10m deal, with its purchase set to be confirmed by the end of this month. The Government has so far pledged £7.5m for the project, which leaves a funding shortfall of £2.5m GMCA say is 'expected to be funded from borrowings as part of the overall bus reform programme'.

A 'vacant site' over 13 acres currently owned by the council in the 'Central Park' area of north Manchester has been identified as a 'suitable' location, although it's exact location hasn't been revealed by TfGM.

Negotiations with the council for the site are said to be ongoing, with the depot planned to have capacity for up to 250 new electric buses. Details can be revealed by the Manchester Evening News today as the first yellow bus of Greater Manchester's Bee Network revolution hits the road.

The first branded bus entered service on Friday, serving the number eight route connecting Bolton and Manchester city centre via Farnworth and Salford, with civic leaders saying more are set to appear on the roads in coming months.

The Bee Network - the name given to the new London-style integrated public transport system across Greater Manchester - is set to be rolled out in full across the region by the end of 2024.

Leaders have also agreed to buy 50 zero-emission electric buses for Wigan and Bolton, where the first publicly-controlled buses will operate from in September, marking the biggest change to transport in