Transport infrastructure is receiving a boost in Greater Manchester after members of the Bee Network Committee approved a new funding boost for key projects.
Investment of more than £20 million will be committed to a number of new projects that will support plans for a high-quality, affordable and fully integrated public transport network that will combined with an active transport network. Of that funding, £10 million will be committed from the City Region Sustainable Transport Fund, whilst the Mayor’s Challenge Fund will allocate more than £10 million.
One of the ways that the Bee Network will ensure seamless travel for people using the service is through the development of integrated ticketing and travel information. This will see contactless pay-as-you-go across bus and Metrolink services, being supported by £7.3million of investment, and allowing access to a more London-style way of paying for transport on the network as contactless cards or devices can be used to pay for travel, with the best value fare being worked out automatically for them. Fare evasion can also be combatted through this method, as new devices can be used to check whether passengers have paid with contactless.
Travellers will also be able to see their journey history through a new feature on the Bee Network app.
Bus networks between Rochdale, Oldham and Ashton will also be improved with the funding announced, contributing to one of the Bee Network’s key priorities. That particular route is currently the busiest on the franchised network. Phased funding is being released to develop the business case for the Rochdale element of the route, with construction expected to begin in Autumn 2025.
Active travel is to benefit across the Bee Network, through a number of improvements. Funded by £10.46 million of the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, cycling and walking infrastructure in the form of a segregated cycling route and protected junctions will be delivered, as well as a new cycleway improving connections between communities and the sites that are important to them. Further to this, Wigan town centre will see a traffic-free active travel route being constructing to Standish.
Rochdale Council is also developing a scheme to ensure that walking, wheeling and cycling connections are high-quality, thanks to almost £1 million of funding. Through the Streets for All scheme reconfiguring a key roundabout to deliver a new public space, improving cycling provision around the area, and improving the underpass to support shared use for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users.
Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner, Vernon Everitt, said:
“We are moving quickly to bring about improvements that will make a real difference to how people get around Greater Manchester using public transport or when walking, wheeling or cycling.
“Over the next few years more than £1bn will be invested to make bus and active travel journeys better and to make paying more convenient through ‘tap and go’ ticketing. The scale of ambition is reflected in the drawdown of these funds that support continued delivery of the Bee Network across all ten districts of the city-region."
Image credit: Transport for Greater Manchester
