Greater Manchester leaders are pushing for more local control over the region’s rail network, aiming to integrate it into the Bee Network and improve passenger experience. As the UK government consults on the future of the railway system, the city-region seeks a statutory role in shaping fares, funding, and service planning through the upcoming Railway Bill.
The move follows Greater Manchester’s successful bus franchising and the introduction of ‘tap and go’ contactless payments across buses and trams. Leaders hope to extend fare caps to include rail, making public transport more affordable and seamless for commuters, with potential savings on trips from locations like Glossop.
Integrating rail into the Bee Network
Mayor Andy Burnham has outlined a three-phase plan to bring local train services into the Bee Network by 2028, a step expected to increase train trips by 1.3 million annually. The city-region is advocating for:
- Local accountability – A formal role in service planning and integration with buses and trams.
- Fare and ticketing control – Authority to set local fares and extend capped pricing across transport modes.
- Service planning – Input on train schedules and frequencies to better meet passenger demand.
- Funding and investment control – More decision-making power over station improvements and accessibility upgrades.
- Better station management – Setting local standards for maintenance, branding, and customer service.
- Transport-led regeneration – Redeveloping underused railway land for housing and economic growth.
A step toward a London-style system
The city-region is working closely with the government and Great British Railways Transition Team to achieve a more integrated, accountable transport network. Burnham describes this as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reshape local rail, making public transport more efficient and attractive for commuters.
If successful, the initiative will gradually incorporate eight commuter rail lines, covering 64 stations, into the Bee Network by 2030, delivering a London-style system that offers passengers convenience, affordability, and reliability.
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