Greater Manchester's new Bee Network - bus fares, the app, what will change and what you need to know from today
manchestereveningnews.co.ukThe launch of bus franchising today - putting power back into the hands of the people over operators - heralds the start of the Bee Network in Greater Manchester.
The network is a plan for a London-style integrated transport system over bus, tram and eventually, train. A one ticket fits all approach as commuters in the capital have enjoyed for years.
On Sunday, Greater Manchester becomes the first area in England to re-take control over its bus services. Operators will have no power to set routes, fares or frequencies - they have bid for, and secured contracts to run, buses on behalf of the elected Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the elected mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
Buses were deregulated everywhere except London in 1986 - resulting in a fall in passengers everywhere outside the capital. And as decisions are made locally - not by companies seeking profits - passengers will wield real power; performance targets and customer comments will be used to inform what operators are paid to run services.
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