24 hour party people: Bee Network launches round-the-clock bus trial to boost nightlife

A 24-hour transport pilot will commence in Greater Manchester on September 1, 2024, aiming to bolster the region’s night-time economy and support workers in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and logistics.

The initiative, part of the Bee Network, will introduce night bus services on the V1 and 36 routes, connecting Manchester with Leigh and Bolton via Salford.

24-hour transport pilot

These routes, now under local control for the first time in nearly four decades, were selected due to their proximity to key nighttime employment sites, including hotels, bars, clubs, hospitals, and distribution centres.

The trial will provide 24-hour connectivity for approximately 135,000 people living within 400 meters of these bus routes.

Mayor Andy Burnham

Mayor Andy Burnham expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its role in supporting Greater Manchester’s growth.

“Our potential as an economic powerhouse will only be realised if we have the necessary transport infrastructure,” Burnham said.

“Better transport at night has been a long-standing demand, and thanks to the efforts of Sacha Lord, we are now on the brink of launching the first night Bee Network services.”

Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester

Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, has been a vocal advocate for extending night transport services.

He emphasised the importance of providing equal transport options for night workers, saying, “It’s not fair that night workers should face higher transport costs due to their working hours.

“This pilot, a collaboration with the Mayor, TfGM, and the Bee Network, promotes equality for all workers.”

Manchester’s night-time economy

The night-time economy is vital to Greater Manchester, employing 358,000 people and accounting for around 33% of the local workforce.

The absence of night transport has previously hindered access to opportunities, with 27% of residents citing it as a barrier according to a February survey.

Safety will be a key focus of the night bus services, with the deployment of Travelsafe Support and Enforcement Officers (TSEOs) to ensure a secure environment for passengers.

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, emphasised the importance of safety measures, including the GMP LiveChat service accessible via the Bee Network app for discreet incident reporting.

Nigel Featham, Managing Director at Go North West, expressed excitement about the partnership with TfGM.

“24-hour services will be a significant benefit for shift workers and the nighttime economy. Our priority is to provide a reliable and safe Bee Network.”

Unite the Union Regional Officer, Colin Hayden, highlighted the pilot’s potential to improve safety for late-night workers, especially women.

“This scheme aligns with our Get Me Home Safely campaign, emphasising the importance of safe transport for workers leaving their workplaces late at night.”

The development of the pilot involved a stakeholder forum with leaders from various sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, and logistics.

Key considerations included safety, communication with potential customers, and service reliability.

As Greater Manchester looks to expand its night-time economy, the 24-hour transport pilot represents a crucial step towards providing safe, reliable, and equitable transport options for all workers.

You can find out more about the Bee Network 24-hour transport pilot by clicking here