Bee Network Service/Route Discussion

[mayneway]

Would Mellor have been able to know that though without it going to Mercedes to look at?

Probably not but Mellor should have dealt directly with them Instead of not wanting to get involved.

 

[MCRTransitYT]

Anyone know why majority of V1/2 services ran with electric deckers this afternoon/evening have been using the diversion route not the guideway? Same vehicles have done earlier services on the same route using the guideway, something to do with weight maybe?

If they use BYD Enviro400EVs, like I saw 2030 on the V routes yesterday, they have to drive on normal roads along the busway because they wont have guidewheels

 

[daodao]

The reliability of these Mellor bodied Fiat’s aren’t fantastic, didn’t Go Goodwins (I’m a Little Gem) have considerable issues with their Fiat’s minibuses also? It does seem poor for the users of this route that they have been subjected to considerable issues due to the uniqueness of the minibus needed to be provided.

What matters to passengers is whether the bus turns up, is on time and isn't full. Using a suitable substitute bus is acceptable. I used route 280 on Monday 1st June at 1438 to travel from Dunham Massey to Altrincham, having walked there from home to visit the beautiful National Trust garden, and it arrived on time, as it did on 2 previous occasions in the last 2 months.

The bus was number 21242, registration SH74 UAP (Fiat Ducato Mellor Orion). The other bus running on the route was number 21253, registration BF67 WGW (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 45). I note from Bus Times that the scheduled services at 0835 from Altrincham, returning at 0915 from Lymm, which was due to be operated by bus number 21253, do not appear to have been operated on this date.

 

[esmith2k5]

If they use BYD Enviro400EVs, like I saw 2030 on the V routes yesterday, they have to drive on normal roads along the busway because they wont have guidewheels

I noticed a pair of them had been used but i had refferes to the new batch of electroliners for the guideway, since seem to be running down the guideway though

 

[Tim33160]

What matters to passengers is whether the bus turns up, is on time and isn't full. Using a suitable substitute bus is acceptable. I used route 280 on Monday 1st June at 1438 to travel from Dunham Massey to Altrincham, having walked there from home to visit the beautiful National Trust garden, and it arrived on time, as it did on 2 previous occasions in the last 2 months.

The bus was number 21242, registration SH74 UAP (Fiat Ducato Mellor Orion). The other bus running on the route was number 21253, registration BF67 WGW (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 45). I note from Bus Times that the scheduled services at 0835 from Altrincham, returning at 0915 from Lymm, which was due to be operated by bus number 21253, do not appear to have been operated on this date.

From 15 June, the following notice appeared online https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/bus/local-link#280

280 Bus Service - Operational Issues Mon 15 Jun, 6:00am – until further notice:

Due to operational issues on the route, some 280 services will not operate. The following of trips will be cancelled today. From Altrincham 08:35, 10:35, 12:35, 14:35, 16:35 and 18:35 From Lymm 09:15, 11:15, 13:15, 15:15 and 17:15. We apologies for any inconvenience.
This was later rescinded with 21242 appearing for service https://bustimes.org/services/280-altrincham-dunham-massey/vehicles

In addition: 280 bus service extension To support the 280 bus service, Local Link is being extended on a temporary basis. Customers will be able to travel anywhere along this route between 7am and 7pm. The route includes Altrincham interchange, Lymm, Dunham Massey and Warburton. Please note the service is cash only but Bee Bus tickets are accepted. This service will currently not show in the postcode checker.

Local Link operates by pre-booking a journey; Please book your journey at least one hour before you want to travel. You can book up to 7 days in advance. Trips are allocated on a first come first served basis and are subject to availability. When you ring to book you will be given a scheduled time. All passengers must be ready to travel ten minutes before the scheduled time. The vehicle can arrive from 10 minutes before to ten minutes after the scheduled time. https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/bus/local-link

 

[darylyates17]

From 15 June, the following notice appeared online https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/bus/local-link#280

280 Bus Service - Operational Issues Mon 15 Jun, 6:00am – until further notice:

Due to operational issues on the route, some 280 services will not operate. The following of trips will be cancelled today. From Altrincham 08:35, 10:35, 12:35, 14:35, 16:35 and 18:35 From Lymm 09:15, 11:15, 13:15, 15:15 and 17:15. We apologies for any inconvenience.
This was later rescinded with 21242 appearing for service https://bustimes.org/services/280-altrincham-dunham-massey/vehicles

In addition: 280 bus service extension To support the 280 bus service, Local Link is being extended on a temporary basis. Customers will be able to travel anywhere along this route between 7am and 7pm. The route includes Altrincham interchange, Lymm, Dunham Massey and Warburton. Please note the service is cash only but Bee Bus tickets are accepted. This service will currently not show in the postcode checker.

Local Link operates by pre-booking a journey; Please book your journey at least one hour before you want to travel. You can book up to 7 days in advance. Trips are allocated on a first come first served basis and are subject to availability. When you ring to book you will be given a scheduled time. All passengers must be ready to travel ten minutes before the scheduled time. The vehicle can arrive from 10 minutes before to ten minutes after the scheduled time. https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/bus/local-link

A pair of backup Mellors or Sprinter City 45s need to be ordered simple as.

 

[py_megapixel]

Why can't the 280 just use standard single deckers, e.g. the Enviro 200s that they already have loads of?

Also, if they have spare resources in Local Link couldn't they just have a Local Link minibus running the scheduled timetable, rather than giving people the hassle of booking in advance?

 

[MCRTransitYT]

Why can't the 280 just use standard single deckers, e.g. the Enviro 200s that they already have loads of?

Also, if they have spare resources in Local Link couldn't they just have a Local Link minibus running the scheduled timetable, rather than giving people the hassle of booking in advance?

There is a 9 foot low bridge on the route meaning it can only use small solo srs and the orions (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AwipYsMQPhqSxwWP8?g_st=ac)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jun 2026 ==

Enviro200 MMCs are 2.86m in height, which is appropriately 9 foot 2 ¼ inches

 

[py_megapixel]

There is a 9 foot low bridge on the route meaning it can only use small solo srs and the onions (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AwipYsMQPhqSxwWP8?g_st=ac)

I see, thank you.

(Although I think you may have a typo there with "onions"!!)

 

[MCRTransitYT]

(Although I think you may have a typo there with "onions"!!)

They might as well be called onions seeing as how unreliable they are

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They might as well be called onions seeing as how unreliable they are

Surely they’d be lemons (if following the fruit and veg theme)

 

[Mollman]

Surely they’d be lemons (if following the fruit and veg theme)

Perhaps they make the engineering team cry!

 

[Leyland Bus]

Surely they’d be lemons (if following the fruit and veg theme)

Perhaps they make the engineering team cry!

No need to be bitter...


I'll get me coat

 

[MCRTransitYT]

Has there been any updates with the new routes, such as the 612?

 

[JasonL]

Has there been any updates with the new routes, such as the 612?

Nothing as of yet but I think the 612 will start as soon as franchising starts in St. Helens (6th September).

 

[Tim33160]

I seem to remember that the Tranche One Bee Network Schools services were let on a three year contract rather than 5 years for the normal services?

I think these school routes have been put out for renewal from 1st September 2026, with differing contracts to the original ones?

Has anyone got any details of the re-tendering process and those companies who have gained school bus contracts?

 

[M60lad]

Considering its only a couple of months off now does anybody have a definite list of service changes that are supposed to happen in September?

 

[splashoutradio]

Considering its only a couple of months off now does anybody have a definite list of service changes that are supposed to happen in September?

Visited the bus station in Leigh last week, as one of my local routes is due to be affected by September's changes. As helpful as the person behind the counter was, he was unable to find any information on his system.

Back when the GM bus network was largely commercially operated, there used to be regular meetings held, with minutes uploaded to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website. These don't appear to contain service updates since the Bee Network, or when they do, they're very vague. There's a good chance I'm looking in the wrong places though.

 

[Dwarfer1979]

Visited the bus station in Leigh last week, as one of my local routes is due to be affected by September's changes. As helpful as the person behind the counter was, he was unable to find any information on his system.

Back when the GM bus network was largely commercially operated, there used to be regular meetings held, with minutes uploaded to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website. These don't appear to contain service updates since the Bee Network, or when they do, they're very vague. There's a good chance I'm looking in the wrong places though.

It is probably a bit early for details of changes to September to be public in early July, we haven't actually passed the 42-day registration deadline for early September yet (and unlike some Combined Authorities Manchester never adopted extended notice periods beyond the normal and very quickly seemed to grasp why operators balk at extended registration deadlines) so whilst the transport planners & operators may pretty much know the plans it is unlikely a customer facing member of staff would yet have received any details (even less so for that information to yet be ready for public dissemination). Most operators would probably wait for the schools to break up later in the month before looking to publicise changes at the end of the Summer holidays, TfGM (as a non-operator) may get their information out earlier than most as they aren't dealing with managing operations on the ground, schedule changes for schools ending and extra staff holidays.

This is of course different to an organisation doing a consultation on a major change which will often happen many months in advance of a proposed change date but even there details of proposals would probably be sparse as you get out beyond 6-10 week planning periods.

 

[JasonL]

Visited the bus station in Leigh last week, as one of my local routes is due to be affected by September's changes. As helpful as the person behind the counter was, he was unable to find any information on his system.

Back when the GM bus network was largely commercially operated, there used to be regular meetings held, with minutes uploaded to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority website. These don't appear to contain service updates since the Bee Network, or when they do, they're very vague. There's a good chance I'm looking in the wrong places though.

There won't be any details yet. There probably will be next month.

 

[Tim33160]

Several Bee Network routes are having Summer Period timetable changes - these tend to be those core commercial services that Stagecoach used to revise upto the Bee Network take over - now operated by Metroline

Changes to services during quieter Summer period 19 July – 29 August 2026

35 Piccadilly - Pendleton - Monton - Worsley - Astley – Leigh Minor changes to M-F morning peak times


Minor changes to M-F times on the following services

42 Piccadilly - Rusholme - Didsbury - Stockport

42A Piccadilly - Rusholme - Didsbury - Heaton Chapel - Reddish

42B Piccadilly - Didsbury - Cheadle - Bramhall - Woodford

42C Piccadilly - Didsbury - Cheadle - Heald Green - Handforth Dean

43 Piccadilly - West Didsbury - Wythenshawe - Piccadilly Airport

50 East Didsbury - Kingsway - Manchester - Salford Quays

51 East Didsbury - Kingsway - Mcr - Salford Shopping Centre - Salford Quays

76 76A 76B Piccadilly - Oldham

85 Piccadilly - Alexandra Park - Chorlton

85A Piccadilly - Alexandra Park - Chorlton - Arrowfield Road

86 Piccadilly - Brooks’s Bar - Chorlton - Southern Cemetery

101 Piccadilly - Northenden - Wythenshawe Hospital - Wythenshawe

103 Piccadilly - Moss Side - Wythenshawe - Peel Hall - Manchester Airport

142 Piccadilly - Rusholme - Didsbury - East Didsbury

143 Piccadilly - Rusholme - Fallowfield - West Didsbury

201 Piccadilly - Denton - Hyde - Hattersley

202 Piccadilly - Belle Vue - Denton - Haughton Green - Hyde - Gee Cross

203 Piccadilly - Belle Vue - Reddish - Stockport

205 Piccadilly - West Gorton - Dane Bank

216 Piccadilly - Clayton - Droylsden - Ashton - Stalybridge

219 Piccadilly - Openshaw - Ashton - Stalybridge - S night jny to Glossop

230 Piccadilly - Clayton - Droylsden - Ashton

231 Piccadilly - Clayton - Droylsden - Hartshead - Ashton

368 Stockport - Cheadle Hulme - Wythenshawe - Wythenshawe Hospital/ Airport

plus Arriva 320 Wigan - St Helens


https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/travel-alerts?active_tab=bus&route_and_timetable=true&date=Tomorrow


ADD 111 Piccadilly - Withington - Southern Cemetery

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2026 ==

It is probably a bit early for details of changes to September to be public in early July, we haven't actually passed the 42-day registration deadline for early September yet (and unlike some Combined Authorities Manchester never adopted extended notice periods beyond the normal and very quickly seemed to grasp why operators balk at extended registration deadlines) so whilst the transport planners & operators may pretty much know the plans it is unlikely a customer facing member of staff would yet have received any details (even less so for that information to yet be ready for public dissemination). Most operators would probably wait for the schools to break up later in the month before looking to publicise changes at the end of the Summer holidays, TfGM (as a non-operator) may get their information out earlier than most as they aren't dealing with managing operations on the ground, schedule changes for schools ending and extra staff holidays.

This is of course different to an organisation doing a consultation on a major change which will often happen many months in advance of a proposed change date but even there details of proposals would probably be sparse as you get out beyond 6-10 week planning periods.

Bee Network routes are licenced by Bee Network and are not subject to Traffic Commissioner rules
The operators are working to contract to Bee Network to supply buses / routes / frequencies / fares so any changes are instigated by Bee Network as a contract change
42 days registration does not apply in TfGM / Bee Network franchise land
Such changes come via the review process
https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/bus/bus-network-development

"

Bus network development​

Making changes and improvements to your Bee Network
Widespread improvements are coming to bus services in every part of Greater Manchester later this year, as the Bee Network continues to power the city region’s rapid economic growth.
740,000 people living near the improved services across Greater Manchester will benefit from 36 service changes, shaped by feedback from local communities and passengers.

Making changes and improvements to your Bee Network​

It’s been over a year since all Greater Manchester’s buses joined the Bee Network. The interventions announced build on the more than 80 improvements already delivered through bus franchising.
These form part of the continued development of the Bee Network and build on the progress made since buses were brought back under local control.
But there’s more we can do to make sure the bus network reflects the needs of our communities.

What is ‘network development’?​

The network development process means we can make more direct changes to more places, often more quickly.
Over recent weeks and months, we have been listening closely to elected members, residents, passengers, and key stakeholder representatives about how the bus network is working and where it can go further.
That feedback has played a key role in shaping the latest set of network interventions and changes.

Developments for your local area​

We've been working with local authorities, councillors, and MPs to understand local priorities, challenges and opportunities. This includes growth areas, regeneration plans, and community needs.

Changes coming in 2026/27 ... "​

 

[Whisky Papa]

I believe Stretford Mall has finally closed with the site due for residential redevelopment. I wonder if the remaining Aldi justifies the 256 still running this way, rather than its original route joining Chester Road further north (inward via Derbyshire Lane, outward via Davyhulme Road East and Moss Road)?

Diverting the 256 via the then Stretford Arndale was the last schedules job I undertook in 1985. At the time, half the service remained as 257 via the original route mentioned above, with the diversion via Stretford Arndale adding 5 minutes on paper, probably a lot more in practice. This replaced the 266 which ran only as far as Lostock Circle, but now the 25 covers the route as far as the Nag's Head anyway.

Does anybody in the area have any views?

 

[Tim33160]

I believe Stretford Mall has finally closed with the site due for residential redevelopment. I wonder if the remaining Aldi justifies the 256 still running this way, rather than its original route joining Chester Road further north (inward via Derbyshire Lane, outward via Davyhulme Road East and Moss Road)?

Diverting the 256 via the then Stretford Arndale was the last schedules job I undertook in 1985. At the time, half the service remained as 257 via the original route mentioned above, with the diversion via Stretford Arndale adding 5 minutes on paper, probably a lot more in practice. This replaced the 266 which ran only as far as Lostock Circle, but now the 25 covers the route as far as the Nag's Head anyway.

Does anybody in the area have any views?

Stretford Mall still exists - just a lot smaller. The Mall, the Chester Road car park entrance, and the surface car park (from the Chester Road entrance to the former Costa unit) are now closed, to prepare the site for a new public park and new homes. The remaining shops are on the Chester Road frontage and both sides of the revived King Street walkway
There is a plan on https://stretfordtowncentre.co.uk/development-2026/
Most of the shopping centre will be replaced by Up to 1,000 new homes, including a 10-storey build-to-rent block with 249 flats and 14 three-bedroom townhouses. Apartments include one- and two-bedroom units, arranged around landscaped courtyards.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Overheard in Wythenshawe Interchange by TfGM staff that the Monday to Friday 1600-1700 time period Metroline service 368 can be subject to certain buses being not running, as they are being diverted to act as school services.

 

[mattyharding]

Do we know when the new 388 service begins for Metroline

 

[mayneway]

Do we know when the new 388 service begins for Metroline

There’s a big rewrite some time in September (assume it’s at the beginning but cannot confirm) and it apparently starts then.
There’s also an uplift (increase in frequency) on the 219 at the same point and 216’s go all night.

 

[MCRTransitYT]

There’s a big rewrite some time in September (assume it’s at the beginning but cannot confirm) and it apparently starts then.
There’s also an uplift (increase in frequency) on the 219 at the same point and 216’s go all night.

Do you know how many extra buses Ashton will need for the 216/219 frequency uplift?

 

[Deerfold]

There’s a big rewrite some time in September (assume it’s at the beginning but cannot confirm) and it apparently starts then.
There’s also an uplift (increase in frequency) on the 219 at the same point and 216’s go all night.

Thursday to Saturday nights, at least.

 

[Tim33160]

Go Northwest has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the refranchising of the Tranche 1 small franchises winning LOT 1: Bolton, Bury and Farnworth and LOT 2: Leigh and Atherton.

The unsuccessful bidders were: LOT 1:

Arriva Merseyside Limited
Diamond Bus (North West) Limited
First Manchester Limited
Rossendale Transport Limited
Greater Manchester Buses South Limited

LOT 2:

Arriva Merseyside Limited
Diamond Bus (North West) Limited
First Manchester Limited
Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
Huyton Travel Limited
Warrington Borough Transport Limited

The standstill period will end 3 Aug 2026 and the contract will run from 7 March 2027 to 18 Aug 2030 with a possible extension to 18 Aug 2032
Contract value of £44.361m for LOT 1 and £32.437m for LOT 2 including VAT.
LOT 1 has a PVR of 28 and LOT 2 has a PVR of 21.

These routes are currently mainly run by Diamond Bus North West

Service 521 in LOT 1 and Service 553 in LOT 2 will start later on 19th September 2027.
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069281-2026?origin=SearchResults&p=1

 

[Mollman]

Go Northwest has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the refranchising of the Tranche 1 small franchises winning LOT 1: Bolton, Bury and Farnworth and LOT 2: Leigh and Atherton.

The unsuccessful bidders were: LOT 1:

Arriva Merseyside Limited
Diamond Bus (North West) Limited
First Manchester Limited
Rossendale Transport Limited
Greater Manchester Buses South Limited

LOT 2:

Arriva Merseyside Limited
Diamond Bus (North West) Limited
First Manchester Limited
Greater Manchester Buses South Limited
Huyton Travel Limited
Warrington Borough Transport Limited

The standstill period will end 3 Aug 2026 and the contract will run from 7 March 2027 to 18 Aug 2030 with a possible extension to 18 Aug 2032
Contract value of £44.361m for LOT 1 and £32.437m for LOT 2 including VAT.
LOT 1 has a PVR of 28 and LOT 2 has a PVR of 21.

These routes are currently mainly run by Diamond Bus North West

Service 521 in LOT 1 and Service 553 in LOT 2 will start later on 19th September 2027.
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069281-2026?origin=SearchResults&p=1

Thanks for sharing, so the small lots that were meant to help SMEs have gone from a mid-sized group to a multinational.