Greater Manchester’s Bee Network Prepares for Expansion with Over 100 New Drivers

Over 100 new bus drivers have completed training in anticipation of the launch of the final phase of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network. These drivers will operate the recognizable yellow buses starting 5 January, when the remaining portion of the city region’s bus network transitions to public control. The initial stage of the Bee Network, implemented in Bolton and Wigan, encountered operational difficulties last year, attributed to an insufficient number of drivers. According to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, “We are in the strongest position by far in this change.” Metroline Manchester is set to manage a franchise encompassing 250 routes throughout Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and specific areas of Manchester and Salford. This operation will constitute over half of Greater Manchester’s entire bus network. The network will feature 330 new buses, a significant number of which are electric. Metroline Manchester has also hired 130 new drivers, alongside 45 support and enforcement officers. Among the newly appointed drivers is Pepu Kayinari. The 41-year-old individual was the initial member of his cohort to successfully complete his driving examinations, following several months of instruction at the Sharston depot in Wythenshawe. He commented, “I’ve driven a small car before but with a bus it’s different! The anxiety is that it’s the first time you’ll be on your own on the road. The excitement [is about] serving the community and also doing a career you enjoy.” Furthermore, Greater Manchester intends to incorporate eight local railway lines into the Bee Network by the year 2028. Mr. Burnham stated, “Next year will be one of real change for Greater Manchester, as we encourage even more people onto public transport to build a low-cost, high patronage network. But we’re not stopping at buses – we want to do more. Our unreliable rail services are a brake on growth and we deserve better. By bringing them into the Bee Network we can deliver real change for our residents, increasing reliability and ultimately getting more people out of their cars on to public transport.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.