Bee Network Service/Route Discussion

[M60lad]

How is Stockport Depot operated over split sites as I thought that there was only one Depot and that is at Daw Bank?

 

[mangad]

How is Stockport Depot operated over split sites as I thought that there was only one Depot and that is at Daw Bank?

There are two buildings. The bigger one is on King Street West on the corner of Daw Bank, on the North side of Daw Bank. Go south of Daw Bank and there's a building with some offices that used to be bus offices but think Stagecoach moved out some years ago. Then south of that you will find a second depot building built in the same style.

I assume as they look similar they were both built at the same time as part of the original Stockport Corporation's new garage planned in the late 60s (and which opened under Selnec control in 1979). But there's very much two depot buildings with a road and an office building in-between. You can see it on Google Streetview, and if you go back in time for enough, you'll see some Bullocks buses inside one of them too

 

[Renown 3B3RA]

The second building is the workshops, not a running depot, and will apparently remain as such under the proposals. So in effect there will be three sites if the plans go ahead. The Daw Bank depot opened in 1970, not 1979.

 

[Leyland Bus]

There are two buildings. The bigger one is on King Street West on the corner of Daw Bank, on the North side of Daw Bank. Go south of Daw Bank and there's a building with some offices that used to be bus offices but think Stagecoach moved out some years ago. Then south of that you will find a second depot building built in the same style.

I assume as they look similar they were both built at the same time as part of the original Stockport Corporation's new garage planned in the late 60s (and which opened under Selnec control in 1979). But there's very much two depot buildings with a road and an office building in-between. You can see it on Google Streetview, and if you go back in time for enough, you'll see some Bullocks buses inside one of them too

One of the buildings houses the engineering section but I cannot remember for the life of me if there is bus parking on that side or not, its been so long since I last went...

 

[mangad]

One of the buildings houses the engineering section but I cannot remember for the life of me if there is bus parking on that side or not, its been so long since I last went...

Looking "through the entrance doors" on Google Streetview, the smaller southern building is definitely engineering focused. The most recent pictures only shows buses parked up, but if you go back in time you'll see work happening on vehicles. As I've no special knowledge, that's all I have to go on!

 

[mayneway]

Went on my first Bee bus the other day.
Bags of Wheelchair space with flip down seats
Contactless great, smooth ride, friendly drivers, comfy seats.

My question is, were Diamond/First buses only one wheelchair, and what is the wheelchair capacity on a new Bee bus?

Standard capacity is two wheelchair spaces or 4 buggy spaces.
All depends on the bus type.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

One of the buildings houses the engineering section but I cannot remember for the life of me if there is bus parking on that side or not, its been so long since I last went...

There’s no bus parking it’s just engineering. Infact last time I was at Stockport dropping a bus off there was actually one possibly two engineering bays in the main depot where I believe inspections and minor work took place.

So only the ‘bottom’ building and yard under the viaduct is used for bus parking.

 

[Whisky Papa]

One of the buildings houses the engineering section but I cannot remember for the life of me if there is bus parking on that side or not, its been so long since I last went...

There is no space beyond the workshop for further outside parking. However, the road space between the engineering workshop and the office buildings, known as the Ginnel (a local term for an alley or entry) was once used to park buses, although I'm going back to being a trainee allocated there in 1981. The Traffic Office overlooked it, and the windows had to be rapidly closed when the afternoon peak buses were started up to avoid it filling with fumes.

I think this practice had ceased by the time I returned there a year later or soon after, and the Ginnel was then only used for staff parking (there was/is also an underground car park below the workshop building).

I think a handful of buses intended for service were left parked overnight in the middle of the workshop area at the time, I'm sure I recall it being mentioned on the router's board in the garage.

 

[Leyland Bus]

There’s no bus parking it’s just engineering. Infact last time I was at Stockport dropping a bus off there was actually one possibly two engineering bays in the main depot where I believe inspections and minor work took place.

So only the ‘bottom’ building and yard under the viaduct is used for bus parking.

There is no space beyond the workshop for further outside parking. However, the road space between the engineering workshop and the office buildings, known as the Ginnel (a local term for an alley or entry) was once used to park buses, although I'm going back to being a trainee allocated there in 1981. The Traffic Office overlooked it, and the windows had to be rapidly closed when the afternoon peak buses were started up to avoid it filling with fumes.

I think this practice had ceased by the time I returned there a year later or soon after, and the Ginnel was then only used for staff parking (there was/is also an underground car park below the workshop building).

I think a handful of buses intended for service were left parked overnight in the middle of the workshop area at the time, I'm sure I recall it being mentioned on the router's board in the garage.

Thanks both, explains why I couldn't remember seeing any!!

 

[Statto]

I caught the 192 from Hazel Grove last week, it's every 10 minutes at this end of the route but it's one of those weird frequencies depending how your going, heres the timetable.

192 - Manchester - Hazel Grove

Bee Network - Stagecoach Manchester

bustimes.org

I waited for the 14.13 departure, which was delayed (bus was 20 minutes late inbound), the 14.23 was delayed a few minutes late, & delayed by a late incoming bus too, when the bus did arrive plenty of passengers boarded for the return journey & on route in the Hazel Grove area, which got me thinking whether the frequency should be increaced, Hazel Grove could be every 7/8 minutes, with Stepping Hill every 7/8 minutes, & the Stockport shorts only for depot runs?

 

[mayneway]

Not reported here surprisingly but Stagecoach have put all their services on semi permanent diversions around Victoria station in the city centre after concerns were raised about safety issues around the train station and entrance to the AO arena and taxis and private cars stopping pretty much anywhere on the approach to drop off and pick up. Added to that Hackney taxis parking anywhere waiting for space on the rank and very few of the street lights working after dark.

Stagecoach services will divert ‘until TFGM come up with a long term solution’.

Interestingly Go north west and transdev continue to use the station approach.

 

[Statto]

Not reported here surprisingly but Stagecoach have put all their services on semi permanent diversions around Victoria station in the city centre after concerns were raised about safety issues around the train station and entrance to the AO arena and taxis and private cars stopping pretty much anywhere on the approach to drop off and pick up. Added to that Hackney taxis parking anywhere waiting for space on the rank and very few of the street lights working after dark.

Stagecoach services will divert ‘until TFGM come up with a long term solution’.

Interestingly Go north west and transdev continue to use the station approach.

I've noticed that when looking at the 67 timetable on bustimes.org, it says diversion until 31st December, but as you say other operators are serving Victoria Station as normal.

 

[M60lad]

I was talking to a Oldham Driver/Mentor Driver last week on my way to work and told me the same that the diversion for their 59s round Victoria Station was now permanent.

 

[Class 466]

Not reported here surprisingly but Stagecoach have put all their services on semi permanent diversions around Victoria station in the city centre after concerns were raised about safety issues around the train station and entrance to the AO arena and taxis and private cars stopping pretty much anywhere on the approach to drop off and pick up. Added to that Hackney taxis parking anywhere waiting for space on the rank and very few of the street lights working after dark.

Stagecoach services will divert ‘until TFGM come up with a long term solution’.

Interestingly Go north west and transdev continue to use the station approach.

Glad Stagecoach at least are doing something. That whole area has a huge taxi problem, especially on Friday & Saturday evenings when it become gridlocked by (often) Wolverhampton registered taxis that have a unique driving & parking style.

 

[mayneway]

I've noticed that when looking at the 67 timetable on bustimes.org, it says diversion until 31st December, but as you say other operators are serving Victoria Station as normal.

They have to put a date on it as it is a diversion until TFGM agree to a permanent route change - which I can’t see happening.
I’d imagine TFGM are not too happy about it as it’s been highlighted on many previous occasions with nothing done.
Stagecoach do have form for these kinds of protests. After the incident where a bus ploughed into the bus stop at Piccadilly gardens outside Morrisons a few years ago, Stagecoach refused to use the stop at all until the many pot holes and uneven surface was sorted out. Think it was eventually all resurfaced a week later.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Mar 2026 ==

Glad Stagecoach at least are doing something. That whole area has a huge taxi problem, especially on Friday & Saturday evenings when it become gridlocked by (often) Wolverhampton registered taxis that have a unique driving & parking style.

It’s a long time coming. Go North west highlighted the issues many times while they were at Queens road and it’s been ongoing ever since.
I do disagree with you slightly though. The Hackney taxis don’t help the situation parking all over the place waiting for space on the rank.

Despite the massive rank and drop off zone at Piccadilly station, Fairfield street is very often the same with utter gridlock caused by taxis simply blocking everything up.

 

[Bungle965]

Someone really needs to get to grips with the issue here, the easiest option has been chosen here, rather than dealing with the actual issue.

The situation where most public transport cannot reach a major train station is shambolic and goes against any form of integrated transport which TfGM wishes to achieve.
I would be interested to see how much this affects the Free Bus patronage as although not particularly far away there is more of a walk to the station now.

 

[mayneway]

Someone really needs to get to grips with the issue here, the easiest option has been chosen here, rather than dealing with the actual issue.

The situation where most public transport cannot reach a major train station is shambolic and goes against any form of integrated transport which TfGM wishes to achieve.
I would be interested to see how much this affects the Free Bus patronage as although not particularly far away there is more of a walk to the station now.

It will affect the freebus a lot as the majority of users get on/off at either Victoria or Piccadilly. The nearest stop is outside the printworks on Corporation street and it’s quite a walk down to Victoria.

 

[darylyates17]

Someone really needs to get to grips with the issue here, the easiest option has been chosen here, rather than dealing with the actual issue.

The situation where most public transport cannot reach a major train station is shambolic and goes against any form of integrated transport which TfGM wishes to achieve.
I would be interested to see how much this affects the Free Bus patronage as although not particularly far away there is more of a walk to the station now.

I think having a no parking zone outside Victoria would solve this issue taxis can only pick up and drop off only they are far too many parked on the corner where they shouldn’t be.

 

[johncrossley]

In some other countries, buses go straight in front of the station with taxis a bit away.

 

[Bungle965]

I think having a no parking zone outside Victoria would solve this issue taxis can only pick up and drop off only they are far too many parked on the corner where they shouldn’t be.

I can see this being fairly unenforceable, unless there‘s a plan to have some sort of parking warden on site.

 

[Andyh82]

I think having a no parking zone outside Victoria would solve this issue taxis can only pick up and drop off only they are far too many parked on the corner where they shouldn’t be.

There probably already is, but it won’t be enforced especially not late at night

I’ve always found Victoria Station Approach a congestion hotspot due to the way at the end of the road buses have to turn right and it is just a give way rather than lights

 

[johncrossley]

I can see this being fairly unenforceable, unless there‘s a plan to have some sort of parking warden on site.

Why not use camera enforcement?

 

[darylyates17]

There probably already is, but it won’t be enforced especially not late at night

I’ve always found Victoria Station Approach a congestion hotspot due to the way at the end of the road buses have to turn right and it is just a give way rather than lights

I remember temporary traffic lights around there caused chaos and they had to manually control them, I wonder if having a Buses only zone could be another option.

 

[158756]

There probably already is, but it won’t be enforced especially not late at night

I’ve always found Victoria Station Approach a congestion hotspot due to the way at the end of the road buses have to turn right and it is just a give way rather than lights

That whole area can be a bit of a mess with the mix of buses, taxis, general traffic, trams outside the Printworks, the single lane section outside the arena, etc.

It needs as much traffic removing as possible. The problem is I can't see anywhere the taxi rank could really be moved to, and I suppose other traffic needs some access to the station as well for disabled access at least, so I'm not sure what can actually be done beyond getting parking wardens to work nights. A bus gate outside the Printworks might get rid of some through traffic, but it won't help the taxi parking issue.

Of course going by the form on the Curry Mile the end result will be that buses will just stop serving Victoria.

 

[Bungle965]

so I'm not sure what can actually be done beyond getting parking wardens to work nights.

I believe that some Manchester Council parking wardens do work nights, I remember being baffled, half cut and seeing one at around 3am when exiting a takeaway!

Why not use camera enforcement?

Are you not just going to encounter the same issues as now though? I think the problem is that the demand for Uber outside the station front causing the safety issues and whilst the taxi rank being there not being ideal, it’s not the main source of the problems for the buses.

 

[Statto]

How many routes interwork in the GM area, as it feels like most of them do, because i was on the 10 earlier (going from Shudehill to Peel Green) & that interworks with the 8, & the 237 that i was on the other week interworks with half a dozen routes?

 

[Andyh82]

How many routes interwork in the GM area, as it feels like most of them do, because i was on the 10 earlier (going from Shudehill to Peel Green) & that interworks with the 8, & the 237 that i was on the other week interworks with half a dozen routes?

Metroline have inherited this unusual practice from Stagecoach where buses run back to the depot for the driver change and then the same or a different vehicle can then come back out on a completely different service

Go North West have a more logical set up where the 8 & 10 do interwork at Shudehill end and there is a pattern to it

 

[M60lad]

I've seen some Metroline 237s that run into Ashton then are meant to interwork with something else the only problem being the current works for the Mottram By-Pass which seem to delay journeys on the 237 at some points during the meaning a spare bus has to be found to operate the interworked service or the service ends up running late.

I'd go as far as to say that there are quite a number of services from a number of operators in/around Manchester that interwork during the day and that includes services that interwork with each other in Manchester City Centre.

 

[mayneway]

Metroline have inherited this unusual practice from Stagecoach where buses run back to the depot for the driver change and then the same or a different vehicle can then come back out on a completely different service

Go North West have a more logical set up where the 8 & 10 do interwork at Shudehill end and there is a pattern to it

The main reason for this now is because the depot is or is preparing for electrification so buses HAVE to go back to depot to go on charge.

The days of a bus going out in the morning and remaining on the same route or couple of routes all day don’t really work anymore in Manchester and most stuff is worked to go back to depot and then will end up out on something else.

 

[Bungle965]

Spoke to a driver on the Free Bus this evening, most drivers are unsurprisingly hoping the diversion is permanent due to the mess which Victoria is at the moment.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority used to publish the meeting agenda and notes from before franchising, I tried to have a look for the equivalent to see if it had been brought up there however found nothing since 2023.
Has this disappeared as a result of franchising?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Mar 2026 ==

There appears to be some inconsistency regarding the bus stop at the bottom of Market Street (opposite M&S)
The Bee Network app recently had it down as being shut until 2027, however today it appears part of the cordon had been taken away and the stop was back open, that information hadn't made it onto the Bee Network App or the signage either.

 

[Tim33160]

Re GMCA Bee Network committee meetings:

https://democracy.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=442 lists the meetings
Next one - agenda papers:

Bee Network Committee - Thursday, 26th March, 2026 2.00 pm​

The agenda will be displayed in the week before the meeting

It is a different format than the old style meetings - no discussion as to route changes etc - no performance reviews etc