Castleton, Littleborough and Rochdale among stations to be served by Bee Network trains

Nearly 100 Greater Manchester railway stations will be served by yellow Bee Network trains by 2030, including  all stations in the Rochdale borough, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed.

Andy Burnham made a major announcement on Tuesday (21 January) in which he confirmed he will take rail services into public control in a similar manner to the buses. Bus franchising completed on 5 January.

He is promising simpler fares, eventually integrated with bus and tram tickets in a ‘tap-in, tap out’ system, and better services.

Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester Transport Commissioner, called it an ‘ambitious plan’. He added: “We have demonstrated what can be done with greater local control and accountability for tram, bus and active travel. 

“With a more seamless and integrated experience for passengers, more people will choose the train for commuting and leisure, helping reduce the call on public subsidy for rail.

"This plan also needs to be developed in parallel with national reform of rail, with a clearly defined role for mayoral combined authorities in the running of services. We look forward to working closely with the government to finalise those arrangements.”

The announcement also outlined the timetable for introducing Bee Network trains, and where they will run.

Its first phase, set for December 2026, will take over lines from Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield, Glossop, and Rose Hill Marple. Phase one will also take over the Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge route.

The second phase, eyed for December 2027, includes the Piccadilly-Airport line, Piccadilly-Cheadle Hulme route, and Piccadilly-Middlewood track.

The final phase, earmarked for March to December 2028, is the largest. It will see TfGM take over city centre stations, as well as routes from Manchester to Appleby Bridge, Wigan North Western, Hindley, and Rochdale. 

New maps released with the announcement also show Bee Network trains will serve a new £32 million station in Golborne, after the government approved its outline business case.

The phasing of the plan sees 64 stations ‘join the Bee Network’ by 2028, with a further 32 coming in two years later, taking the total to 96.

The 64 stations Bee Network trains will stop at by 2028 include:

 

 

The next 32 stations Bee Network trains will stop at by 2030 include:

 

 

Ethan Davies, Local Democracy Reporter