The Bee Network app is to be upgraded with a live bus tracker and journey planner as part of the latest changes to the Greater Manchester transport system.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has revealed new features for their mobile app which allow travellers to see the exact location of their bus and plan alternative journeys with the inbuilt travel planner.
The new features will provide customers with live bus locations on an interactive map, illustrating travel options from buses, trams and trains – to walking and cycle routes.
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester’s mayor, said he has hopes of: “Making it easier for passengers to plan their journey, buy tickets, and see exactly where their bus is on the route.”
Additionally, travel notifications will keep travellers updated of disruptions or cancellations for their specific routes.
The change will give TfGM users greater choice and hopes to facilitate access to the whole network of transport options, allowing people to make use of a combination of different services, all made straightforward with the app’s new features.
In addition to the app’s changes, bus routes in and around Greater Manchester are to be tweaked, with an emphasis on more regular services, with earlier and later journeys.
Burnham praised the network’s development: “It’s an exciting time for public transport in the city-region with the next phase of bus franchising launching imminently, a move that will bring half of Greater Manchester’s bus services under local control.
“We’re making real progress.”
TfGM’s own figures suggest that since the introduction of the Bee Network, its buses have been ‘more reliable,’ with 10% more buses being recorded as on time since a year ago.
The plans for a ‘London-style’ transport network, fully integrated and run by TfGM and aptly named the Bee Network , were initiated in September 2023.
With the first phase completed, the second phase commences this weekend – with TfGM taking direct control of 324 bus routes, bringing more than 50% of the existing bus network under integrated management.
Phase two will focus on areas such as Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Bury and Salford.
Burnham has asked customers to provide helpful feedback to TfGM, but simultaneously asked for patience with the new features – as some buses may not be tracked quite yet.
“We are working hard behind the scenes to get all buses on the tracker,” he said.
Feature image: Charlie Valentine
