Andy Burnham: Stalybridge and Glossop to have first Bee Network trains

Tameside will soon have one of the best public transport networks in the country according to the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

Speaking at an event to launch ‘Tap and Go’ payments on the city region’s buses this morning (Monday March 24), he said train lines from Stalybridge to Victoria and Glossop to Piccadilly will be the first to become part of an expanded Bee Network next year. 

It will eventually include eight fully branded Bee Network rail routes by the end of 2028. 

“We’ve recognised that if you get towards the edge of Greater Manchester, we want to make sure the people who live there have an integrated system with not just buses, but a link to trains as well,” Mr Burnham said. 

“I think Tameside will have one of the best public transport systems in the country quite soon. 

“Eighteen months from here you’re going to have trains, trams and buses, and they’re all going to be within the Bee Network very quickly. 

“Tameside is very well set up for growth because of the transport system you’ve got, and what we’re saying to the Government is: let us take some of the land around Stalybridge station that’s owned by Network Rail – or, indeed, around Ashton station – because we think the quality of the transport system then makes it a better, more attractive place to invest in new modern homes.” 

The Tap and Go system will cap fares at £5 per day and £20 per week on buses for people paying by contactless cards, but passengers will still be able to buy the full range of tickets from the driver or in-app. 

Payments will also integrate with the tap-in tap-out system already in place on the Metrolink, although users won’t need to tap out of their bus. 

Bus and tram tickets are capped between £5.40 and £9.50 per day depending on the number of Metrolink zones and whether passengers use the trams during peak times. 

Weekly Tap and Go bus and tram tickets will range from £24.80 to £41. 

After the success of the V1 to Leigh and 36 to Bolton night services, the mayor also expects night buses to reach Tameside soon. 

“I’ve got to be fair to all residents of Greater Manchester because we want everyone to have a similar standard of service,” he said. 

“My plan is to have at least one main night service into every borough of Greater Manchester, so that everyone has the option of using public transport to get home. 

“My daughter used to work in hospitality and used to say you could lose three or four hours of wages if you’ve only got an Uber or taxi option, and I think the £2 V1 to Leigh has massively helped people who work in the night time economy here in the city. 

“It can’t be every service, but there are already some night services in the south of the city and we’re maintaining those, but getting a night bus into all boroughs – including Tameside – is absolutely our plan.” 

Ticket inspectors have become a familiar site on Tameside’s buses since they joined the Bee Network in January, and Mr Burnham says that the lack of paper ticket for those who tap on won’t cause any issues. 

“People have been used to having paper tickets on buses here for as long as anyone can remember, but with Tap and Go that isn't the case. Why print the ticket when we don’t need to? 

“People who pay cash will still get a paper ticket, but the revenue inspectors will simply use the card that you tapped in to make sure that it’s been paid, so you don’t need [a paper ticket] anymore. 

“We’re trying to simplify the system, and the more we remove the tickets, it cuts out little delays where people are boarding the bus and keeps them running to time.” 

As well as buses, trams and trains, Mr Burnham and Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey aim to bring e-bikes into the Bee Network within a year. 

“The bikes being part of the Bee Network is also really important,” said 19-time Paralympic gold medallist Dame Sarah. “If the bikes are included within that fare cap, then that really incentivises people to make their whole journey using the Bee Network. 

“I’m working with the team in the coming months to make sure we can include bike hire within the Bee Network so that people can utilise an end-to-end journey using it.  

“Ultimately, the long-term aim is to have 95% of the population will live within 400 metres of a Bee Network accessible route.”  

Citing passenger safety as a major factor in people not using public transport, the mayor also committed to the introduction of a dedicated TravelSafe Live Chat this autumn.