Greater Manchester is set to make its Bee Network public transport system even more sustainable. A £65 million funding boost will bring 220 more electric buses to the city region’s streets and bring tram-trains a step closer to reality.
Almost £60m will be invested to switching a further 13% of the bus fleet from diesel to fully electric, with the first buses expected to be in service by the end of 2026.
Nearly 350 electric buses – around one in five – currently serve communities in Greater Manchester, compared to a national average of just one in 10. The new, greener buses will further boost this number, making progress to the pledge to deliver a fully electric fleet by the end of the decade.
It swiftly follows the introduction 12 new electric vehicles on the Manchester city centre Free Bus routes. Replacing older diesels, free bus journeys around the city are now quieter, cleaner and increasing in popularity – with a 10% rise in passenger numbers in the last year.
As well as releasing the funds for the fleet at a meeting today (Thursday 27 November), the Bee Network Committee also endorsed exciting plans to connect communities with new tram and tram-train services. Members approved £5.7m to progress with the next phase of work on the Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury Tram-Train ‘pathfinder’ scheme to connect Atom Valley.
The funding will enable TfGM to progress plans for the tram-train route, as well as explore options to improve the tram fleet. Work will identify new ‘next generation’ vehicles for the existing Metrolink network as well as similar models that can also run on rail infrastructure too. The aim is for such new fleet to also boost capacity on the network, which is also seeing passenger numbers grow.
Funding was also agreed to deliver a new Travel Hub in Tyldsley, with work set to start in the New Year. It will provide an extra 99 parking spaces, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and accessible spaces close to the Leigh Guided Busway.
