Bee Network Service/Route Discussion

[Bungle965]

We're starting to get into the hypotheticals now and whilst I am enjoying the discussion please create a new thread to carry it on

 

[mangad]

There could be an argument in favour of this as Woolley Bridge (which is in Tameside rather than Derbyshire) currently lacks any bus service.

Woolley Bridge itself is the boundary between Greater Manchester and Derbyshire, and the road named Woolly Bridge is firmly in Derbyshire. Openstreetmap shows the boundary as going along the River Etherow, although both Tameside and Derbyshire's signs are on the western side of the river which may imply Derbyshire maintains the bridge.

Not been a bus service down that way since the 236 stopped in 2020. Although the bus stops are all still in place.

 

[mayneway]

Woolley Bridge itself is the boundary between Greater Manchester and Derbyshire, and the road named Woolly Bridge is firmly in Derbyshire. Openstreetmap shows the boundary as going along the River Etherow, although both Tameside and Derbyshire's signs are on the western side of the river which may imply Derbyshire maintains the bridge.

Not been a bus service down that way since the 236 stopped in 2020. Although the bus stops are all still in place.

While your right it’s not strictly true as the 237 is regularly diverted down that way, infact from the 23rd March, Waterside is closed for a month so the 237 will divert down Woolley Bridge.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In New Moston, there was quite a long road called The Fairway that served a modern housing estate which was built on the site of the former Failsworth golf course. Was there ever a bus service that ran along that road?

 

[mayneway]

In New Moston, there was quite a long road called The Fairway that served a modern housing estate which was built on the site of the former Failsworth golf course. Was there ever a bus service that ran along that road?

From memory possibly one of the Bluebird services.

 

[M60lad]

While it might have had a service down there I can't remember myself a bus service running via The Fairway in New Moston, I've actually walked along The Fairway quite a number of times in the past and it has got me thinking as to why it hasn't got a bus service, mind you the top and bottom of The Fairway has 181/182 services serving it.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

While it might have had a service down there I can't remember myself a bus service running via The Fairway in New Moston, I've actually walked along The Fairway quite a number of times in the past and it has got me thinking as to why it hasn't got a bus service, mind you the top and bottom of The Fairway has 181/182 services serving it.

It is quite a long road and the houses in the central area of The Fairway are a long walk to either end of the road.

 

[Statto]

I see the roadworks on Mottram Moor were causing so much chaos that the 237 was cut to Ashton - Stalybridge earlier on, & one of the 237s was over 2 hours late arriving in Ashton.

 

[mayneway]

I see the roadworks on Mottram Moor were causing so much chaos that the 237 was cut to Ashton - Stalybridge earlier on, & one of the 237s was over 2 hours late arriving in Ashton.

Yes it’s a mess - but to be fair was expected.
Apparently Mottram Moore is down to one lane in both directions all next week so it’s not going to get any easier, and again next weekend it’s same again.

 

[M60lad]

Out of interest has anybody heard anything about any potential service changes for routes in North Manchester later this year around about September time? I know it's quite a distance away but I've been led to believe that a couple of routes are being changed in such a way they won't interwork with each other from September and another is being rerouted.

 

[Manclad83]

Woolley Bridge itself is the boundary between Greater Manchester and Derbyshire, and the road named Woolly Bridge is firmly in Derbyshire. Openstreetmap shows the boundary as going along the River Etherow, although both Tameside and Derbyshire's signs are on the western side of the river which may imply Derbyshire maintains the bridge.

Not been a bus service down that way since the 236 stopped in 2020. Although the bus stops are all still in place.

There was the X57 (did it observe stops there?) and also the 236 was revived for literally 2 days by a random operator.

As for the 201, I’m of the opinion that it’s a long enough route to start with without extending it to Glossop. Glossop needs more local services that connect with the train.

 

[Bungle965]

236 was revived for literally 2 days by a random operator

GB Coaches operating as North Western, their Google Reviews tell you half the story I imagine!

 

[tomoufc]

Out of interest has anybody heard anything about any potential service changes for routes in North Manchester later this year around about September time? I know it's quite a distance away but I've been led to believe that a couple of routes are being changed in such a way they won't interwork with each other from September and another is being rerouted.

Possibly related to this, but GMCA are supposed to be doing network reviews for each tranche area, but they’ve been heavily delayed. No news on them for months.

 

[mayneway]

GB Coaches operating as North Western, their Google Reviews tell you half the story I imagine!

The concept could have worked!

 

[johnnychips]

There was the X57 (did it observe stops there?) and also the 236 was revived for literally 2 days by a random operator.

As for the 201, I’m of the opinion that it’s a long enough route to start with without extending it to Glossop. Glossop needs more local services that connect with the train.

Yes, the X57 observed the stops on the old 236 route. Hulleys also ran short journeys between Glossop Royal Oak and Manchester as the X56, but this was even more short-lived.

To answer an earlier poster, some journeys did used to terminate at Hollingworth on the old 125 route, certainly in the 60s and 70s, though I can’t work out where they turned. Either reversal somewhere guided by the guard, as there was less traffic then or a Gun Inn - Taylor St - Earnshaw St - Wooley Lane circle.

 

[Statto]

i remember after deregulation there was the 214 & 215 Manchester - Glossop, & these used Express standard buses, & the 201 used to go through to Glossop here's a timetable from 2001.

GM 201 160901 22368.pdf

drive.google.com

 

[M60lad]

Not to sure what vehicles were involved but due to vandalism last night (vehicles having windows put through) on Oldham Road, Stagecoach services on Oldham Road after 18:30 were diverted into/out off Manchester via Queens Road and Rochdale Road.

 

[neilcobbe]

Looks like another new route in the Wigan area. Interesting as its a route over most of the 360 then in Merseyside it goes to St.Helens. Guessing this will start when St.Helens goes over to franchising then it's RIP the 360. Found this on the Bee Network X feed.

 

[JasonL]

Looks like another new route in the Wigan area. Interesting as its a route over most of the 360 then in Merseyside it goes to St.Helens. Guessing this will start when St.Helens goes over to franchising then it's RIP the 360. Found this on the Bee Network X feed.

I'm presuming that there will be increased services on the 22A operated by Warrington's Own Buses?

 

[Citibus]

Three new routes have been announced:

377 Stockport - Woodford Garden Village
388 Ashton under Lyne - Hyde
612 Wigan - St Helens via Golborne Newton le Willows

New night buses, seemingly thu-sat nights only:

50 Salford Quays - East Didsbury
83 Manchester - Oldham
192 Manchester - Stockport
216 Manchester - Ashton under Lyne
263 Manchester - Altrincham

 

[Statto]

The 612 is an interesting development, & competing with the slightly more frequent 34/34A between Newton Le Willows & Earlestown to St Helens.

Plus it doesn't say if the 360 is going to be withdrawn either, as that's a non Bee Network route.

 

[mangad]

The 388 is more of a return to a very long standing route, although one with a varied history. Looking at the (very basic) map, I'm guessing it will go down Cheetham Hill Road in Dukinfield whilst the 389 continues serving Yew Tree Lane. At one time it was the 389 that went down Cheetham Hill Road and the 388 that went up Yew Tree. There's been points when they both went up the Yew Tree Estate. But at other times it was the 389 that didn't run and only the 388 did. And of course, at other times one, the other, or both, went to Marple!

 

[JasonL]

The 612 is an interesting development, & competing with the slightly more frequent 34/34A between Newton Le Willows & Earlestown to St Helens.

Plus it doesn't say if the 360 is going to be withdrawn either, as that's a non Bee Network route.

It would look likely that Warrington's Own Buses would take over the 360 entirely but as the 22A or simply the 22 as the current 22 they operate from Warrington to Ashton via Earlestown, Haydock and Garswood is proposed to become the 622 and operated by METRO.

 

[gka472l]

The 612 is an interesting development, & competing with the slightly more frequent 34/34A between Newton Le Willows & Earlestown to St Helens.

Plus it doesn't say if the 360 is going to be withdrawn either, as that's a non Bee Network route.

The 612 is of note as (as far as I know), the very first Bee Network route to enter the Liverpool City Region.....of course, there will be a few METRO routes that enter the Greater Manchester area at Wigan and Leigh.

 

[Statto]

The 612 is of note as (as far as I know), the very first Bee Network route to enter the Liverpool City Region.....of course, there will be a few METRO routes that enter the Greater Manchester area at Wigan and Leigh.

Yep, back in the day, Greater Manchester PTE, used to have a load of routes that entered the Liverpool City Region (St Helens area), with the 39/320 (the 39 became 34 at deregulation) going through to Liverpool.

Also in the 80s until deregulation, you had the amusing situation with Earlestown & Newton Le Willows being in Liverpool City Region but all the buses in the area were provided by GMPTE, this was because they were operated by Lancashire United Transport (LUT), GMPTE bought them out in the mid 70s, but LUT wasn't transferred into the GMPTE until 1981.

 

[markymark2000]

The 612 is of note as (as far as I know), the very first Bee Network route to enter the Liverpool City Region.....of course, there will be a few METRO routes that enter the Greater Manchester area at Wigan and Leigh.

Not quite. The first normal local bus services yes but not the first overall service.
Visions 954 & 957 and Stagecoach 663, 665, 666 & 988 school buses both run into Merseyside. 954 serves 2 stops on Lodge Lane in Haydock, 663, 665, 666 & 957 in Garswood and 988 in Newton Le Willows

 

[Statto]

Here's the article from the MEN

Sweeping Bee Network bus improvements across Greater Manchester - full list of service details by area​

'The most significant and wide-ranging upgrades since franchising'​

• 
  

Comments2
News
Paul Britton Reporter
04:50, 19 Mar 2026Updated 10:24, 19 Mar 2026

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Greater Manchester's bus routes(Image: TfGM)
A major gear change in bus services in every part of Greater Manchester has been announced by transport bosses. A total of 36 separate Bee Network service changes revealed today are expected to come into effect later this year - with 24-hour night buses introduced throughout Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester took back local control of its bus service from September 2023, the first area to do so in the UK for 40 years.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, hailed the news as 'the most significant and wide-ranging upgrades to the Bee Network' since bus franchising was completed in January last year.

Five new night buses will bring a 24-hour service to parts of the city region that haven't previously had them, including in Oldham, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford. Alongside the continuation of existing night bus services, it means the Bee Network will provide round-the-clock connectivity in all 10 boroughs.

Every Greater Manchester borough to get a night bus in major Bee Network expansion
England flags removed from Stockport lampposts as council reasserts position


That, said Transport for Greater Manchester, would support some 625,400 people in Greater Manchester working in jobs that operate late into the night.

Three new bus services will better connect residents from Woodford Garden Village to Stockport town centre; from Ashton, Stalybridge and communities around Dukinfield to Hyde, and from Wigan and St Helens via Abram, Golborne and Newton-le-Willows.

The announcement also promises better connections to key employment and visitor destinations, including Manchester Airport, Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale, Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton, MediaCity in Salford and the Trafford Centre. Logistics North in Bolton, meanwhile, will also see its bus timetables amended to better align with shift patterns, TfGM added.

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The Bee Network(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
More frequent buses will run on the route linking Middleton, Stakehill Industrial Park, Rochdale town centre and Kingsway Business Park; on services between Partington and Manchester city centre; between Oldham, Failsworth and Hollinwood and Manchester city centre, and those connecting Bury with Bolton and Rochdale and Salford. Additional capacity will also be provided on the busiest Bee Network services, including on Oxford Road in Manchester.

The changes, subject to final costing and approval, are planned to be implemented over the 2026/27 financial year.

Mr Burnham said: "These changes will benefit people right across Greater Manchester. They have come about as a direct result of your feedback and support for the Bee Network and have been made possible by the decision we took to bring our buses back under local control.

"By expanding Bee Network night buses to every borough, and providing more frequent services to key employment locations, we are creating more ways for people to access jobs and opportunities across the region. This is just the start. As we continue to lead the way on economic growth, so will we continue to lead the way on transforming the Bee Network, setting us up for another decade of good growth so that everyone in Greater Manchester can live a good life."

View 3 Images
The Bee Network(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said: "The Bee Network is doing exactly what it was created to do, delivering reliable, affordable and better-connected transport for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester."

Latest figures to the year ending March 2025 show Bee Network buses clocked up a combined 82 million kilometres – an increase of seven per cent compared to the year before. TfGM said it's more than double the average increase in England, outside of London.

It comes as the £2 single cap, and the £5 day ticket, remain in place for the remainder of 2026.

Here's where the changes will be made:

Bolton​

Direct bus connectivity between Bolton town centre and Middlebrook Retail Park, giving shoppers and workers access to a key local destination, attracting more people on to the bus network and delivering a GMS pledge. Continuation of night bus services between Bolton and Manchester city centre on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with some additional late night mid-week trips.

Bury​

Ramsbottom will get more frequent evening bus services (Monday – Saturday), including services every half hour to support the night-time economy, and there’ll be more regular evening and weekend buses connecting Bury with Bolton, Rochdale and Salford. Continuation of 135 night service between Manchester, Whitefield and Bury on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Manchester​

Higher Blackley and Charlestown will benefit from a more direct bus route on services 115/116. The 368 will run to the airport all day instead of just the morning from Stockport and Wythenshawe.

Additional capacity on to Ashton and continuation of additional capacity on Oxford Road (142/143, 219 to Ashton). Thursday, Friday and Saturday night bus introduced between East Didsbury and MediaCity via the city centre.

Oldham​

Oldham, Failsworth, and Hollinwood will see improvements to the 83 service which will provide more frequent buses to Manchester city centre throughout the week. There will also be new night bus services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday between Oldham, Failsworth, Hollinwood and the city centre.

Rochdale​

More frequent daytime, evening and weekend buses on the 434 route linking Middleton, Stakehill Industrial Park, Rochdale town centre and Kingsway Business Park, providing improved links to employment destinations

Timetable improvements will also be made to key services, including the 471 linking Rochdale to Bury and Bolton, and the 406 between Rochdale and Kirkholt, which will also see frequency enhancements. Continuation of night service on number 17 between Manchester, Middleton and Rochdale on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Salford​

Improvements to service 95 timetables at weekends and evenings, supporting improved connections between Salford and Bury, linking communities in the south of the borough. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night bus introduced between East Didsbury and MediaCity via the city centre (50).

Stockport​

There’ll be a new service connecting the town centre to Woodford Garden Village, and improved routes on other services in the south of the borough, including to schools. Full night bus provision on the 192 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, connecting Stockport and the city centre, supporting the nighttime economy.

Tameside​

A new route, the 388, will connect Ashton, Stalybridge and communities around Dukinfield to Hyde.

A new night bus service, with the 24-hour services on the 216 route on Thursday, Friday and Saturday to connect Ashton with the city centre and Etihad campus, supporting the night-time economy and access to leisure and cultural attractions.

TfGM will work with Tameside Council over the coming months to deliver a direct bus service between Hyde and Hollingworth.

Trafford​

More regular buses on the 255 service between Partington and Manchester city centre, with frequency increasing from every 30 to 20-minute. New night bus provision on the 263 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, connecting Altrincham, Sale and Stretford and the city centre.

Wigan​

A new service between Wigan and St Helens via Abram, Golborne and Newton-le-Willows that will serve the future site of Golborne Station. More frequent evening and Sunday journeys on cross-boundary services into the Liverpool City Region, with a revised route in the Lowton area to strengthen links to local communities and promote onward bus and rail journeys

More double decker buses on the 132 route between Wigan and the Trafford Centre, with buses running until midnight Monday-Saturday and more frequent peak time services on the V1 to support new homes at Mosley Common. Continuation of night bus services from the city centre to Leigh on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with some additional late night mid-week trips

Sweeping Bee Network bus improvements across Greater Manchester

'The most significant and wide-ranging upgrades since franchising'

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

 

[Leedsbusman]

There’s a bit more detail in the doc below which doesn’t lend itself to a copy and paste

https://democracy.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/documents/s42901/BNC%2020260326%20Refreshed%20Approach%20to%20Network%20Development.pdf

 

[Deerfold]

Three new routes have been announced:

377 Stockport - Woodford Garden Village
388 Ashton under Lyne - Hyde
612 Wigan - St Helens via Golborne Newton le Willows

New night buses, seemingly thu-sat nights only:

50 Salford Quays - East Didsbury
83 Manchester - Oldham
192 Manchester - Stockport
216 Manchester - Ashton under Lyne
263 Manchester - Altrincham

The 192 isn't a completely new night bus. It probably has the best night service of any route in Greater Manchester running every 10-15 minutes for several hours. It will need 1 or 2 extra services to fill the small gap in service after about 0300.

 

[JasonL]

Apparently Arriva are keeping the 329/360 routes and will be operated from the Runcorn depot. Runcorn's quite a way from Wigan...