Greater Manchester Bus Services Rank Among Most Improved in the UK

Bus services across Greater Manchester have seen some of the biggest improvements in the country, according to the latest passenger survey results.

Data from Transport Focus shows that while satisfaction with value for money has declined nationally, Greater Manchester has moved in the opposite direction. In 2025, just 63% of bus users across the UK felt services offered good value, down from 73% the previous year. By contrast, 79% of passengers in Greater Manchester rated the Bee Network as good value—an increase from 73% in 2024.

The region has also recorded one of the strongest improvements in overall satisfaction, rising to 86%, up from 79% the previous year and slightly above the national average of 85%.

The improvements come following major changes to how bus services are run in the region, with Greater Manchester becoming the first area outside London in decades to bring buses back under public control. Bolton was among the first areas to benefit from the transition.

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said the results reflect the positive impact of these changes. She highlighted measures such as fare caps, improved service reliability and the introduction of new routes as key factors behind rising passenger satisfaction.

She also pointed to wider benefits, including the extension of concessionary travel for older and disabled passengers throughout the day, and ongoing plans to support additional groups.

The Transport Focus survey, which gathered responses from more than 47,000 passengers across 43 areas, shows that Greater Manchester is outperforming the national average on value for money, with a 79% approval rating compared to 63% across England.

While satisfaction levels vary across the country, the data suggests that the Bee Network is helping to drive increased confidence in public transport, with more passengers choosing to use buses across the city-region.