Greater Manchester has unveiled its vision for the next decade – a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life, heralding a new era of economic growth. In addition to the news of Manchester set to gain new underground transport services, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has revealed that more night buses will be introduced to the region.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We have been on an incredible journey since the launch of bus franchising, with the Bee Network playing a vital role in making Greater Manchester the growth success story in the UK by providing a cleaner, greener and more affordable way to get around the region.
“Public transport is one of seven key areas underpinning our future vision for Greater Manchester, and over the next decade we will continue to invest in the Bee Network and transform how people get around our city-region.
“This starts by adding more night buses, higher frequency services and new routes, helping connect people to jobs, education and other opportunities across a growing and thriving Greater Manchester, so that everyone can live a good life.”
The latest enhancements, due to start later this year, include new night buses connecting Bury and Rochdale with Manchester, the second all new Bee Network bus service running between Wigan and Standish, and improved frequency across key routes in Bolton and Wigan – the first area to come under local control.
Work with local authorities is ongoing to assess plans to introduce night buses in Oldham, Tameside and Trafford in 2026/27, as well as wider opportunities to improve public transport access in all areas of Greater Manchester to align with commitments within the GMS. They include delivery of the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport network, integration of rail lines into the Bee Network, and the region’s first operationally carbon neutral interchange in Bury.
When and where in Greater Manchester will more night buses be introduced?
Two new hourly night buses services are proposed on the 135 (Manchester – Prestwich – Bury) and the 17/17a (Manchester – Middleton – Rochdale) which would connect Bury and Rochdale town centres with Manchester city centre, running through areas where car ownership is low, and serving key employment sites and hospitality venues in both town centres.
Unlike the existing V1 and 36 night buses which run seven days a week, the new routes will initially run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says this reflects the patronage trends which show that demand is expected to be initially lower at the start and middle of the week. They are expected to start before the end of the year subject to approval at the Bee Network Committee later this month. The V1 and 36 night buses, which were introduced as a pilot in September 2024, will be extended at least until the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
New bus service for Wigan and Standish
A new daytime and evening service between Wigan and Standish will launch on July 21, becoming the second new Bee Network service – after the 615 Wigan-Middlebrook Retail Park service – to be introduced since bus franchising was introduced in September 2023. Running between Wigan Bus Station and Standish Leisure Centre, the 631 will serve key locations, including the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Woodfield Primary School and local supermarket.
The route runs partially along the existing 632 route and will also serve the Rectory Woods and James Square housing developments in Standish. Additionally, the 632 route is expected to have earlier first services.
Which bus services in Greater Manchester will see an increase in frequency?
Six services running between Bolton, Leigh and Manchester will see their service frequency increased in a move designed to grow patronage on key routes into the city centre. Among the proposals are enhancements to the 582 daytime service so that it runs every 10 minutes (Monday to Saturday day times), with more frequent evening and Sunday services too.
Services on the Guided Busway will also be increased so that they operate every four minutes between 7 and 8am, when the service is at its busiest, with extra departures in the afternoon from Manchester also added. These routes already belong to an extensive high frequency route network across Greater Manchester where buses and trams run every 12 minutes or less on weekdays.