We're quietly confident the Bee Network will be a game changer

MAYOR HAILS NEW TRANSPORT SYSTEM AS BUS SERVICES LAUNCH THIS WEEKEND

- PAUL BRITTON

BUS services with passengers in the driver's seat will take to the roads in Greater Manchester tomorrow after more than a decade of campaigning - the first stop in a planned transport revolution for the city-region.

For the first time in almost 40 years, private operators will have no say over routes, fares, frequencies, timetables and overall standards, giving power back to the paying public.

Franchising - beginning on public services tomorrow - marks the biggest shake-up of bus services here in a generation.

The first locally-controlled bus in Greater Manchester since services were deregulated across Britain outside of London in 1986 under Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government the number 521 - was scheduled to roll out of Farnworth bus station in Bolton for Westhoughton and Blackrod at 4.30am on Sunday, followed by further buses from 6am.

The first in a fleet of 50 new electric Bee Network buses the number 36 is scheduled to depart from Bolton Interchange at 6.15am, with the first franchised bus in Wigan the number eight - due to leave Leigh bus station at just before 6.30am.

All buses in the city region - some now shimmering bright yellow and adorned with Manchester bee motifs - will be brought under public control by January 2025, enabling full 'tap and go' integrated ticketing across Metrolink trams and buses, with the first stage today covering Bolton, Wigan and parts of Salford and Bury.

In total the first stage, including franchised school services that went live on September 4, covers 175 routes, the M.E.N. can reveal.

A second stage is due to go live in March next year, covering Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Bury, Salford and north Manchester, with a third and final stage pencilled in for January 2025, when franchised buses will serve Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and the remaining areas of Manchester and Salford.