Greater Manchester to launch night bus pilot, providing 24-hour transport
A night bus service in parts of Greater Manchester will be launched as part of a 24-hour transport pilot from September 1.
The Bee Network is aiming to support the region’s night time economy and those who work within it, from hospitality staff to health and logistics workers.
Night buses will run on the V1 and the 36 routes, connecting Manchester with Leigh and Bolton via Salford – areas which were among the first to be taken over by the Bee Network and whose buses are now under local control for the first time in nearly 40 years.
The trial will see services run at least every hour, providing 24-hour connectivity for around 135,000 people living within 400m – or about a five minute walk – from the V1 and 36, and has been made possible with the assistance of Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I’m really excited by Greater Manchester’s potential as an engine of growth – but it will only be fully realised if we have the transport infrastructure in place to get people to and from our thriving employment centres whatever the time of day or night.
“Better transport at night is something I know people have been crying out for, and I must thank Sacha Lord, who has been instrumental in getting us to the point where we can confirm the first night Bee Network services are now just a few weeks away.
“The Bee Network allows us to develop the services that best serve people and businesses across our city region. Transport should never be a barrier to opportunity, and this is a step towards improving things for people who work – or want to work – in our hospitals, care homes, clubs, bars, distribution centres or theatres.”
The V1 and 36 have been chosen due to their proximity to key night time economy employment sites, such has hotels, bars and clubs, hospitals and distribution centres. They also serve areas with high numbers of people less likely to own a car and more likely to use public transport, including students.
The night time economy is a major part of Greater Manchester’s economy, with 358,000 people working in jobs or businesses that are significantly active at night, accounting for around 33% of the Greater Mancunian workforce.
Sacha Lord said: “I have called for extensions to night transport services since I became the Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester.
“It’s not fair that night workers should face more expensive transport options simply because of the hours they work. We often think of transport as being an issue for customers at night, but I am delighted to have worked with The Mayor, The Transport Commissioner, TfGM and the Bee Network and its operators to be able to bring in such an important pilot that has parity and equality for all workers, no matter what time of day or night, at its heart.”
Safety will be of paramount importance on night bus services. A team of Travelsafe Support and Enforcement Officers (TSEOs) has already been rolled out on the Bee Network to support customers, and this will be extended to support the pilot.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “We are also examining the potential for further action in the coming months to continue to improve safety, and the perception of safety, across public transport and active travel as part of our zero tolerance towards crime and anti social behaviour.”
Colin Hayden, Regional Officer for Unite the Union, said: “We’ve got hundreds of thousands of our members who work late or into the early hours of the morning when there’s no public transport and no option to get them home. Women in particular tell us that they do not feel safe when going to and from work.
“This pilot scheme will hopefully help these women, and all our members working in the night time economy, feel confident when travelling on these services which will provide a safe and secure mode of transport for them.”
