Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham announces 50-bus order as bids from nine operators are evaluated ahead of award of first franchises

 
Bee Network will launch on September 17, 2023

 
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced an order for 50 new double deck electric buses and revealed the Bee Network brand that will be rolled out across the region’s bus, tram and eventually rail networks.

The order for 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs and Bee Network reveal come as Transport for Greater Manchester confirms receipt of 33 bids from operators vying to run the first franchise contracts. The bids have come from nine different operators and relate to 11 different franchises that will operate across Wigan and Bolton from next September.

“The countdown to bringing buses back under local control for the first time in 36 years is well and truly on,” said Burnham.

“The previous government bought into what we are trying to do, and I underlined the importance of this partnership approach continuing during my meeting with the new transport secretary yesterday.

By working together, we will realise our ambitions and deliver a network that will transform how people get around our city region – not just in the years ahead but for future generations

“By working together, we will realise our ambitions and deliver a network that will transform how people get around our city region – not just in the years ahead but for future generations.”

The introduction of the first franchises in Wigan and Bolton is due to take place on September 17, 2023. Bids for the first tranche were received by September 9 and the evaluation process is now underway. Eight companies bid for both the large franchises in the two towns, two companies bid for all except one of the small franchises with a further company bidding for one small franchise.

Passenger Transport understands that the bidder list for the large franchises comprises the incumbent major operators in the area, plus at least three newcomers to bus operation in the north west of England. These bidders will find out if they have won on November 25 with contract awards scheduled to take place on December 16.

The Expression of Interest for the second trache of contracts was issued last month and will be operational at the end of March 2024. The third tranche will be contracted by the end of March 2024 and be operational by January 5, 2025.

The bus order and closure of the first round of contracts marks an acceleration of plans to improve bus services by Burnham. Last month a capped single fare of £2 was introduced across Greater Manchester following agreement with local bus operators. Passengers are also able to make unlimited journeys across all bus operators for no more than £5 (adult) or £2.50 (child) a day. TfGM has said opportunities are being explored to extend the cap to other ticket types such as weekly passes.

Bus operators are being reimbursed for participating on the scheme on a ‘no better, no worse off’ basis. Combined authority members were told last week that given the considerable uncertainty over public transport funding going forward, the fare initiative is to be reviewed annually to ensure sustainability.

 
This story appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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