Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has secured a new devolution deal with the UK government to provide the local authority with more influence over regional rail services within its Bee Network. The Bee Network is set to be a London-style intergraded transport system that includes bus, Metrolink, rail and cycle hire. It will provide customers with improved services, simpler fares and integrated ticketing.
Significant progress is already underway on this system, with bus franchising deals under public control set to take effect from September in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury and Salford.
Metrolink Tram arrives at Whitefield stop. TfGM
To build on the existing franchising plans for buses and trams, Greater Manchester’s latest devolution deal will also enable full integration of local rail services into the Bee Network by 2030. This will include touch-in/touch-out integrated ticketing across bus, Metrolink and rail services, as well as Bee Network branding across the entire public transport network. These aspects will be delivered through a new Rail Partnership with Great British Railways, which will agree on the first pilots for integrated fares and ticketing by the end of the year.
Transport Commissioner, Vernon Everitt, said:
“The integrated Bee Network will transform how people move around our growing city-region and radically improve what it is like to do business here for generations to come. Better rail services are critical elements in delivering this. We are supportive of rail reform under Great British Railways (GBR) and I very much welcome this Trailblazer Deal. It provides a firm foundation for effective partnership working with GBR with clear initial actions to enable full integration of local rail services into the Bee Network by 2030.”
The new deal will also allow the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to have greater input on stations, services and strategic infrastructure investment with the creation of the North West Regional Business Unit and GM Rail Board.
Through these authorities, GMCA aims to improve local scrutiny of performance in order to deliver the best possible public transport experience.
In addition, the deal commits the government and GMCA to identify the required legal powers for TfGM to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour and fare evasion.