The Bee Network: A Good Idea That Must Deliver for Everyone
For many people across Greater Manchester, buses are not a luxury. They are how we get to work, to the shops, to medical appointments, and to see friends and family. A reliable bus service keeps our local economy moving and ensures that opportunity is open to all, not just those who can afford a car.
Since bus services were deregulated under the Margaret Thatcher government in 1986, routes across England have been cut or reduced. The Bus Back Better Report based on research by the Department for Transport shows that thousands of bus services have been withdrawn or reduced in the last decade alone, particularly outside London.
Heywood Campaigner, Tom Shaw, told us that “This is why Liberal Democrats support bringing buses back under public control through the Bee Network."
Under the Bus Services Act 2017, mayoral combined authorities were given powers to franchise bus services, similar to the system in London. In Manchester, franchising has been rolled out in stages under Mayor Andy Burnham. The first tranche of franchised services began operating in September 2023, with full franchising completed on 5 January 2025 under the Bee Network brand.
Hopwood Campaigner, Iain Donaldson said “In principle, this is the right approach. Franchising allows public authorities to set routes, timetables and fares, rather than leaving decisions solely to private operators. It also removes the need to pay shareholder dividends, allowing money to be reinvested into services.”
We do not have to look far for successful examples. London has long operated a franchised system overseen by Transport for London, which has helped maintain higher bus usage than in most other English regions.
Municipal bus companies also operate successfully in places such as Nottingham and Reading. Nottingham City Transport remains publicly owned and has won multiple national awards for service quality. Reading Buses is owned by Reading Borough Council and consistently ranks highly for passenger satisfaction.
Iain added “The idea behind the Bee Network is sound. The problem is delivery. In communities such as Hopwood journeys into Rochdale Infirmary require travelling on 3 busses for an hour, to North Manchester General Hospital require 2 Busses for over half and hour, and travelling to Manchester city centre can take 90 minutes or more each way. Buses sometimes arrive in clusters, followed by long gaps, and cancellations remain a concern. We need a direct service and punctuality and reliability must improve if people are to trust the system.”
The Mayor has also backed long-term ambitions for tram-train connections, including potential expansion of the Metrolink network to Heywood Station, however, large infrastructure schemes take years to plan and fund.
Liberal Democrats believe residents should not have to wait a decade for better transport. We need practical improvements now: better coordination of timetables, clear performance targets, and direct express routes where demand exists. A direct service linking Rochdale Infirmary, Norden, Heywood, Hopwood, North Manchester General Hospital and the city centre would cut journey times and widen access to jobs and healthcare.
Iain Donaldson added that “We need a bus today, whilst waiting for the Trams tomorrow.”
Public control was meant to put passengers first. Now the Bee Network must prove it can deliver on that promise. Liberal Democrats will continue to press for a bus system that is reliable, affordable and designed around the needs of local people — not political headlines.
Petition: Express bus between Heywood and Manchester
The daily journey between Norden, Heywood and Manchester currently takes over an hour and a half each way on a crowded bus that doubles as a school bus for two large secondary schools. An express bus is needed during the rush hour that travels direct from Heywood to the City Centre and back to enable local people in Heywood to get to work in good time.