Locally-run buses return to Manchester for first time in 37 years

Greater Manchester has started rolling out a new system of buses which are locally controlled.

The Bee Network’s buses, which start appearing on streets today, will have their fares, timetables and routes set by the local authority.

The last time this was the case in the the northwestern city was nearly 40 years ago – before buses were deregulated with the promise of better services.

But many locals moved away from using buses at all, as fares went up and services reduced, according to a 2021 report from the Department of Transport.

The new buses will still be franchised to private companies but mayor Andy Burnham says local government’s involvement will help achieve ‘more public control’.

He told Sky News: ‘In the great scheme of things, you might think that the re-regulation of buses is a relatively modest move, but I think it could be symbolic of a need to get more public control and ownership of critical services, things that people have to rely on to live.

‘Transport is one of those but so is water, so is electricity.’

Manchester is the first local authority which has taken steps towards an integrated network – like London has.

The ‘potential for this to succeed is very exciting’ for transport campaigners who have criticised services being cut and costs going down.

Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said: ‘Buses account for three-quarters of all public transport journeys in Greater Manchester and there’s room to grow the role of bus even more.’

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