This week marks one year since Andy Burnham’s launch of the Bee Network, which has made travel easier across Greater Manchester – but many places across the region remain difficult to reach by public transport.
Salford
Though the Metrolink does go to Salford, it only stops in the south of the city, in areas closer to Salford Quays. Consequently, much of the city remains difficult to reach directly from Manchester City Centre.
To reach Kersal, which is just four miles from St Peter’s Square, residents must board several buses which take an average of 40 minutes. Though Bee Network buses stop in Kersal and surrounding areas in Salford, there is still no direct route to Manchester City Centre.
Kieran Mills from Pendlebury in Salford told MM he has been consistently late for work since using the No. 8 Bee Network to get to work.
He said: “As I do not drive, they are the only way I can get into work most days.
“Oftentimes buses can be anywhere between 10 and 50 minutes late, if they show up at all… It’s packed to the point where people are stood and pressed against the doors of the bus.
“The service is abysmal, and Bee Network seems to either not care, or just not have the resources to fix it.”
In contrast to the situation in Salford, Altrincham, eight miles from the city centre, can be reached by a 30 minute direct tram which leaves St Peter’s Square every six minutes.
Levenshulme and Gorton
Levenshulme is an area of Manchester that is still not served by the Bee Network in any capacity. The only route for residents into the city centre is on an often overcrowded 197 Stagecoach bus.
Likewise no Bee Network buses currently make stops in Gorton, an area of Greater Manchester that is notoriously difficult to reach using public transport.
It is not possible to make a direct journey from Manchester City Centre to Gorton. Passengers must either take a tram to Ashton-under-Lyne and then make an additional 19 minute journey by bus or take at least two buses, meaning the total journey can often take upwards of 40 minutes.
Stockport
There is also not currently a Bee Network bus from Manchester City Centre to Stockport. However, Stockport is easily accessible using buses which are not yet part of the Bee Network.
From 5 January 2025 the following services to Stockport from the city centre will join the Bee Network: 42, 191, 192/X92, 197 and 203.
Featured Image: Bee Newtork buses via Transport for Greater Manchester. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
