The first buses for Greater Manchester’s new Bee Network were handed over by their manufacturer on 2 June.
The 50 double-deck electric buses will go into service this September across Wigan, Bolton, Salford and Bury.
The Bee Network will be a locally controlled integrated public transport system including buses, trams and trains to make travelling around the city-region simpler, cheaper, and more accessible.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “By bringing buses under local control and investing in new vehicles, routes, and services, we will start to transform how people get around Greater Manchester.
“Key to that is a world-class fleet of modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly buses.
“It was great to see the first ones off the production line and I can’t wait to see them full of passengers when the first services come under local control from September.”
The new buses are built by Alexander Dennis, a manufacturing firm based in Scotland that specialises in double-deck buses.
Accessibility is a key focus of the Bee Network – the buses are equipped with two wheelchair bays, hearing induction loops, audio and visual announcements and anti-slip flooring.
The electric buses produce no tailpipe emissions, which is the first step towards Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) goal of a zero-emission bus fleet by 2032.
Check out the full year-by-year plan for the Bee Network here:
Feature image: Transport for Greater Manchester Press Office
