Bee Network
The Bee Network is Greater Manchester's publicly controlled transport system, bringing buses, Metrolink trams and walking and cycling routes under one brand, with rail planned to join. It is run by Transport for Greater Manchester and named after the city's worker bee symbol.
In practice
Since 1986 buses outside London had been run by private companies setting their own routes and fares. Greater Manchester was the first area outside the capital to take buses back under public control through franchising, phased in from 2023 across the whole city region. Bee Network buses are yellow, with capped fares and tickets that can be used across operators, and the same branding now covers trams and an expanding network of cycle and walking routes.
Why it matters to newcomers
Use the Bee Network app or website to plan journeys and check fares rather than older operator apps. Contactless payment works on buses and trams, and capping limits what you pay in a day or week. If you hear people talk about "the yellow buses", this is what they mean.
Related
- Metrolink - the trams inside the network
- Worker bee - the symbol it is named after
Source: Transport for Greater Manchester.