TfGM Launches Landmark Tender for Bee Network Shelters

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched a major tender to modernise bus and Metrolink shelters as part of the ongoing development of the Bee Network.

The initiative aims to enhance the passenger waiting experience while unlocking significant advertising opportunities across the city region.

The tender, which combines advertising rights across multiple transport modes under a single authority, is the first of its kind in the UK. It presents a £399 million commercial opportunity over a 15-year period, supporting further investment in bus and tram services.

The contract includes:

• Exclusive advertising rights across bus shelters, interchanges, and Metrolink platforms to maximise non-fare revenue, which will be reinvested into the Bee Network.

• Opportunities to select locations for digital and printed advertising formats.

• Scope for experiential, pop-up, and branded activations to create immersive campaigns.

As part of the programme, TfGM has acquired all bus shelters previously owned by third parties, bringing the network to around 4,500 bus shelters alongside 99 Metrolink stops. These sites serve approximately 480,000 daily bus journeysand 130,000 tram journeys, offering high-traffic locations for brands.

TfGM is seeking a single supplier to deliver a complete service, including the replacement, refurbishment, maintenance, and cleaning of shelters, modernisation of existing advertising infrastructure, and the introduction of newly designed shelters. The aim is to provide passengers with a well-lit, clean, accessible, and safe waiting environment, supported by comprehensive travel information, while enhancing the city’s public transport infrastructure.