The first train stations in Greater Manchester are due to join the Bee Network by the end of the year, starting with the Glossop to Piccadilly route. By December, passengers should also be able to buy a daily multimodal paper ticket that covers tram, train and bus.
It is the first visible step in bringing the Greater Manchester region’s rail network under the same banner as its buses and trams. The rollout is about six weeks away, and more stations follow within months.
In TfGM’s latest strategic rail update report, it said: “Rail performance across GM remains challenging, with disruption driven by infrastructure resilience, rolling stock and train crew availability, short formations and severe weather. As rail joins the Bee Network, customers will expect a dependable and consistent experience across bus, tram and rail.”
Which train stations will join the Bee Network first?
The Glossop to Piccadilly stations lead the way. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the first 14 stations on that route will get contactless tap and go from December 2026.
A further 15 stations are due in March 2027. They include the route from Stalybridge to Victoria and the Rose Hill, Marple and Hyde Loop lines. That brings the total to 29 stations by spring 2027.
The first stations are due upgraded signage, wayfinding and information screens. Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria will also get improved signage, live travel information and Bee Network customer support as the region’s two big hubs.
Tickets, fares and information
The paper ticket is the quickest change. One daily ticket will cover tram, train and bus, so you won’t need separate tickets for each leg of a journey.
Plus, digital information is due to improve at the same time. Live departures and accessibility details are planned for the Bee Network app and website by December 2026.
Tap-in, tap-out rail ticketing will come later on. The system will work out the cheapest fare on the day, and it should be fully operational by the end of 2028. Daily and weekly fare caps arrive alongside it.
What happens next?
The next wave of Bee Network trains arrive in December 2027. TfGM lists Manchester to Cheadle Hulme and Middlewood via Stockport, plus Manchester Airport stopping services, as joining the network then.
Northern Trains is also due to improve evening and weekend services on selected routes from the December 2027 timetable. These include Manchester Airport, Alderley Edge and Rochdale stopping services.
Full rail integration is projected to be complete by 2030. You can follow the rollout and see which stations are next on the Bee Network page on the TfGM website.
