New Exhibition Celebrates the Bee Network’s Journey in Greater Manchester

A new exhibition exploring the development of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network has opened at the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport, highlighting the transformation of public transport across the region since buses began returning to local control.

The exhibition reflects on a landmark moment in September 2023, when Bolton became one of the first areas to reintroduce publicly controlled bus services. The move marked the launch of the Bee Network and made Greater Manchester the first region in England to reverse bus deregulation since the 1980s.

Since then, the Bee Network has grown into a recognisable transport brand, connecting communities across Greater Manchester through an integrated network of buses, trams and cycle hire services used by hundreds of thousands of passengers each day.

The exhibition charts the network’s evolution from concept to implementation, showcasing the key milestones that have shaped its development. Visitors can learn how the system has expanded across the city-region and explore innovations introduced along the way, including the Bee Network mobile app, the Tap and Go payment system and Starling Bank Bikes.

Among the exhibits are a collection of Bee Network-branded items, including the now-famous bucket hats featured by British Vogue, alongside ticketing equipment and interactive displays designed to bring the story of the network to life.

Speaking about the exhibition, Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt said:

"We are working hard to continuously improve the transport network for the people, businesses and communities of Greater Manchester."

He said the Bee Network had become an increasingly familiar sight across the region.

"The Bee Network brand is becoming instantly recognisable, with our yellow buses, trams and rental bikes serving millions of passengers every year."

Highlighting the significance of the exhibition, Everitt added:

"This exhibition celebrates the success of the Bee Network so far, chronicling the journey we’ve taken to create a joined-up public transport system – and some of the fun we’ve had along the way."

He also thanked the museum for hosting the display.

"We’re hugely grateful to the museum for hosting it and hope that people will visit in ever increasing numbers to see the full range of brilliant exhibits."

The exhibition also recognises Greater Manchester’s long-standing relationship with public transport. Dennis Talbot, Chairman of the Greater Manchester Transport Society, noted the area's historic role in the development of bus services.

"Greater Manchester was the cradle of buses – the country’s first bus service started right here, in 1824."

He said the new display provides an opportunity to connect the region’s transport heritage with the latest chapter in its development.

"So it’s fitting that as history continues, we’re able to bring the story right up to date with recent developments, including the introduction of the Bee Network."

Talbot added:

"We’re so pleased to be marking the latest chapter in the history of public transport in Greater Manchester and we hope that the new exhibition brings in more visitors to see the historic vehicles and other exhibits we have on display."

The Greater Manchester Museum of Transport, located in a former bus garage in Cheetham, is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and operated by the Greater Manchester Transport Society. Together, the organisations welcome more than 20,000 visitors each year.

Since opening in 1979, the museum has assembled a collection of more than 80 historic buses dating from the 1880s through to 2010, alongside a wide range of transport artefacts, including ticket machines, timetables, photographs and bus stop infrastructure.

The venue continues to expand its offering through special events and exhibitions. Recent celebrations included commemorating 125 years of the neighbouring Queens Road bus garage, featuring a rare open day that gave visitors access to a working bus depot for the first time in three decades.

The museum is also set to benefit from a £244,000 grant awarded through Arts Council England’s Museum Estates and Development Fund. The funding will support repairs and upgrades to the Grade II-listed building, including essential roof restoration works.

Visitors can explore the Bee Network exhibition as well as the museum’s wider collection on Wednesdays, weekends and bank holidays between 10:00am and 4:30pm. The museum will also host heritage bus rides, themed exhibitions and a variety of special events throughout the remainder of the year.