Manchester Transport Services: Bee Network Expansion Set to Transform Travel Across Greater Manchester

MANCHESTER, UK: Public transport across Greater Manchester is entering a new phase as the Bee Network continues to expand, bringing buses, trams and local rail services together under one integrated transport system.

The network, overseen by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is designed to make travelling across the region simpler, more affordable and better connected. All local bus and tram services are already part of the Bee Network, while local rail services are being introduced in phases.

Bus services remain at the heart of the network

Greater Manchester has continued to introduce improvements to bus services, including new routes, additional daytime services and expanded evening and night-time operations.

TfGM has announced 36 bus service changes, with the first wave scheduled to begin between 30 August and 6 September 2026. The changes are expected to benefit around 740,000 people living near the affected services. Further changes are planned between January and March 2027.

For passengers travelling between Manchester and Rochdale, the changes include continued night bus services on Service 17, connecting Manchester, Middleton and Rochdale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Additional daytime buses are also planned for Service 471, which links Rochdale with Bury and Bolton.

The 17 is already one of the high-frequency Bee Network bus routes, with daytime weekday services running as often as every 10 minutes.

Tram network continues to connect Manchester

Metrolink remains a major part of Greater Manchester’s public transport system, connecting Manchester city centre with communities across the region.

Passengers can use the Bee Network app to plan journeys, check live departures and receive travel information. Planned improvement works are also continuing across the tram network during 2026.

Rail services to join the Bee Network

One of the biggest developments is the planned integration of local rail services.

The first phase is scheduled for December 2026, when rail services between Manchester and Glossop, Hadfield and Rose Hill Marple, together with Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge services, are expected to join the Bee Network.

Contactless tap-in, tap-out payment will initially be introduced at 17 stations, allowing passengers to use contactless cards or devices and have the appropriate fare calculated automatically, subject to the applicable cap.

Further rail integration is planned for 2027 and 2028.

Importantly for Rochdale residents, Rochdale-Manchester stopping services are scheduled to join the Bee Network by the end of 2028. The longer-term plan is for all 96 local Greater Manchester railway stations to become part of the network by 2030, subject to ongoing discussions and implementation work.

What does this mean for passengers?

The expansion of the Bee Network is intended to make public transport easier to use by bringing different forms of transport closer together.

Passengers will increasingly be able to combine buses, trams and trains using integrated tickets and contactless payment, while journey-planning information will become more closely connected.

For commuters travelling between Rochdale and Manchester, the planned rail integration could be particularly significant, providing another step towards a more unified transport system across Greater Manchester.

With further bus improvements arriving from the end of August, continued investment in Metrolink and the planned introduction of Bee Network rail services, Manchester’s transport system is undergoing a major transformation.