A new exhibition all about the Bee Network has opened at the Museum of Transport in Manchester. It comes less than three years after the Bee Network was born, with the first buses returning to public control in September 2023, making Greater Manchester the first place in the country to move away from a deregulated system since the 1980s.
Despite only existing for a few years, the Bee Network is now known across Greater Manchester and beyond, serving hundreds of thousands of passengers every day. The Bee Network exhibition was officially unveiled by Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt on Wednesday 10 June.
What to expect at the Bee Network exhibition
The new exhibition at the museum in Cheetham tells the story of the Bee Network from its inception to the present day – how it was built, how it has been rolled out across Greater Manchester and what changes have been introduced since then, including the Bee Network app, the Tap and Go system and Starling Bank Bikes.
The display at the Museum of Transport includes the likes of Bee Network bucket hats that were featured by British Vogue, an electronic ticket machine and a cardboard bus.
“This exhibition celebrates the success of the Bee Network so far”
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “We are working hard to continuously improve the transport network for the people, businesses and communities of Greater Manchester. The Bee Network brand is becoming instantly recognisable, with our yellow buses, trams and rental bikes serving millions of passengers every year.
“This exhibition celebrates the success of the Bee Network so far, chronicling the journey we’ve taken to create a joined-up public transport system – and some of the fun we’ve had along the way. We’re hugely grateful to the museum for hosting it and hope that people will visit in ever-increasing numbers to see the full range of brilliant exhibits.”
The country’s first bus service started in Greater Manchester in 1824
Dennis Talbot, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Transport Society, said: “Greater Manchester was the cradle of buses – the country’s first bus service started right here, in 1824. So it’s fitting that as history continues, we’re able to bring the story right up to date with recent developments, including the introduction of the Bee Network.
“We’re so pleased to be marking the latest chapter in the history of public transport in Greater Manchester and we hope that the new exhibition brings in more visitors to see the historic vehicles and other exhibits we have on display.”
The Museum of Transport is home to a collection of vintage buses and welcomes over 20,000 visitors a year
The museum is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester but operated by the charity, Greater Manchester Transport Society. The two work in partnership to open the doors of the museum to over 20,000 visitors a year.
Since opening at an old bus garage in Cheetham in 1979, the Museum of Transport has collected over 80 buses dating from the 1880s to 2010, as well as a collection of objects from ticket machines to timetables, and bus stops to photographs.
Earlier this year, the museum was awarded a grant of £244,000 to repair and upgrade the Grade II listed building on Boyle Street through Arts Council England’s MEND (Museum Estates & Development) Fund, with work to repair the roof due to start soon.
The museum also organises a series of events each year, including a celebration of 125 years of the Queens Road bus garage next door, which took place last weekend. It will be holding more special events throughout this summer and throughout the year, including heritage bus rides, open days and other themed events and exhibitions.
The museum opens to the public on Wednesdays, weekends and bank holidays from 10am to 4.30pm. Find out more information here.
