Bee Network says its making public transport "more accessible and inclusive" in Greater Manchester

A public transport campaigner has been praised for his work to make public transport in Greater Manchester more accessible and inclusive.

Last week saw the final phase of bus franchising roll out across Greater Manchester, with all bus services under local control as part of the Bee Network.

The Bee Network is committed to making public transport, walking, wheeling or cycling more inclusive and accessible for everyone in Greater Manchester, building on Transport for Greater Manchester’s previous work with its own Disability Design Reference Group.

Nathaniel Yates, 31, who continues to advocate for improved access across public transport, attended a special event to mark the completion of bus franchising on Monday (6 January), where he met with Mayor Andy Burnham and Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP.

Nathaniel, from Reddish, said: “In recent years I’ve campaigned for step-free access at rail stations in Greater Manchester, but I’m a regular bus-user too and, Iike many disabled people, I’ve faced challenges when trying to get around on public transport in the past.

“That’s why I have been excited to see how the Bee Network will make transport services more accessible for people like me.

“I have Cerebral Palsy which means it can take me longer to do things like find a seat on a bus. I also have a visual impairment so new features like the audio-visual announcements and accessible signage make a big difference.

“Now that Greater Manchester has taken control of bus services it means that public transport providers are more accountable and better understand the needs of people it serves.

“I was delighted to meet the Transport Secretary on Monday. It was a chance for me to tell her about my campaign and say that we still need funding to improve accessibility at certain train stations in Greater Manchester."

The Greater Manchester Mayor told people at the launch in Wythenshawe that Nathaniel’s work was already having a positive impact on public transport in the city-region.

 

 

Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Nathaniel continues to be a brilliant advocate for disabled people in Greater Manchester and it was a pleasure to have him join us to celebrate our historic Bee Network milestone on Monday, alongside the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander.

“Accessibility and inclusion are key commitments for the Bee Network and people like Nathaniel are really important in helping us understand how we can continue to improve public transport for everybody.”

Erik Matthies, 42, has a visual impairment and is also a member of TfGM’s Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG).

Erik, from Burnage, added: “Accessibility is important for all kinds of people, and I’m really excited about the improvements that are being made thanks to the Bee Network.

“The big displays on the front of the buses showing the service number and its destination are really helpful for someone like me who has some sight but not a lot.  I’m also happy that on Bee Network buses the priority seats are really clearly labelled.”

Accessibility is a priority for the Bee Network and one of the six customer commitments that underpin and inform each decision relating to transport services and infrastructure.

In November 2024, Greater Manchester’s Bee Network Committee appointed its first ever Disability Advocate, Councillor Tracey Rawlins, to advocate for the needs and experiences of disabled people.

As a result of investment into the Bee Network, hundreds of new and more accessible vehicles are now on the roads.

By the spring, more than half (52%) of Bee Network buses will be new, all with enhanced accessibility features, including two wheelchair bays and audio-visual announcements.

The same focus that has been applied to bus franchising is now being applied to phase two of the Bee Network, with transformational plans being taken forward at pace for rail, including a rolling programme to make train stations accessible for everyone.

Work to deliver step-free access at Daisy Hill and Irlam stations is on course to complete early this year, with step-free access at three more stations planned in 2026 and two more in each of 2027 and 2028.