Bee Network Rail Plans Offer Blueprint for Big-City Transport Reform

Greater Manchester’s plans to bring commuter rail services into the Bee Network by the end of 2026 mark a significant step toward full public transport integration in the city region.

Mayor Andy Burnham’s proposals would see rail join franchised buses and locally controlled trams under mayoral oversight for the first time. The move is positioned as central to the region’s long-term “2050 vision” and framed explicitly as a tool for economic growth.

Poor connectivity limits access to jobs and opportunities, effectively shrinking cities despite large populations. Integrating rail into the Bee Network could place an additional 82,000 residents within 30 minutes of Manchester city centre — the single biggest improvement currently available to the region’s public transport connectivity. When combined with bus frequency improvements and new road powers, up to 255,000 residents could see better connections overall.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s strategy prioritises improving the existing network before expanding it. The plan focuses this decade on making services more reliable, integrated and user-friendly, with major expansion projects targeted for the 2030s. This “better before bigger” approach aims to maximise returns from current infrastructure before committing to more capital-intensive schemes.

Greater Manchester is emerging as a trailblazer among metro mayors, alongside Liverpool City Region, in consolidating transport powers locally. However, delivering the full vision depends on national policy.

The success of rail integration will hinge on how Great British Railways (GBR) structures devolution. Advocates argue that Greater Manchester should receive “London-style powers,” including control over local rail services and fare revenues, aligning financial incentives with service performance — similar to the London Overground model.

Long-term funding certainty will also be essential. While integrated settlements represent progress, sustained capital investment is likely to be required given the economic importance of transport in major city regions.

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network rail plans offer a clear template for other metro areas. But turning vision into reality will depend on government backing and meaningful rail devolution that empowers city regions to shape their own transport futures.