The Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s vision for a ‘London-style’, high volume, low fare, transport system, is almost here. Along with a new travel network comes a new app aimed at delivering both ticketing and information across the Bee Network, which launches this September.
The Bee Network aims to link bus and tram travel together and will launch on September 24 when the city-region becomes the first area to begin to bring buses under local control for the first time in almost 40 years, rolling out bright yellow buses. The first version of the app for the Bee Network is due to launch on September 18, in time for the commencement of TfGM’s locally controlled bus services.
The new app will be the main way for travel passengers to buy combined Bee AnyBus + Tram tickets that are around 20 percent cheaper than separate standalone tickets. The first version of the Bee Network app, created by Softwire, will provide a range of features including the integration of Greater Manchester’s new bus and existing tram services in one place.
The app will provide commuters with access to real-time departure information to assist them with their journeys and navigational aids showing the stops and stations on the Manchester transport network. Plus, passengers will have the ability to purchase retail tickets across the Manchester transport network and in-app mobile tickets will be available for use directly from your mobile device.
Following the introduction of franchised bus services on September 24, improvements are planned in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester – the first to be brought under local control – that will see them run earlier and later, better integrating them with first and last train and tram services. This will include the 471 Bolton-Bury-Rochdale service and 362 Standish to Wigan buses and will be reflected in other areas of Greater Manchester as franchised services roll out across the region.
The daytime frequency on the V1 and V2 services on the Leigh Guided Busway will also be increased, with eight buses in each direction every hour. In addition, V2 services from Atherton to Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) will be reinstated as soon as possible.
The new Bee Network app will be available to download from September 18 from the Google Play Store and the Apple App store.