It’s been a long time coming, but Greater Manchester’s new 24/7 night bus service has now officially launched.
As the Bee Network – which is Greater Manchester’s newly-launched integrated transport network – looks to provide much-needed further support to the region’s night time economy and all of those who work within it, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that the 24-hour transport pilot officially kicked off from yesterday (1 September).
Set to run for a full year, after plans for it were first revealed back in February, the trial will run on the V1 and the 36 to help connect Manchester with Leigh and Bolton, via Salford, as these were the first areas to be taken over by the Bee Network.
Services will run at least every hour, 24-hours a day, seven days a week – including on most bank holidays too.
Night buses are here! 🌙🚌
From today, we’re trialling 24-hour services on the V1 and the 36, connecting Manchester with Leigh and Bolton via Salford.
The V1 and 36 have been chosen, not just because they provide bus services to the first Bee Network areas, but also due to their proximity to key night time economy employment sites – such has hotels, bars and clubs, hospitals, and distribution centres.
ADVERTISEMENT
They also serve areas with high numbers of people who are less likely to own a car, and therefore, are more-likely to use public transport.
The night buses will also use the same capped bus fares that were first introduced in 2022 to provide “a simplified ticket offer” that is consistent with services across the region.
ADVERTISEMENT
Andy Burnham says the Greater Manchester public has been “crying out” for this new service.
Mayor Andy Burnham stood in front of a new 24/7 Bee Network night bus / Credit: TfGM
“Ensuring that everyone working in our night time economy can access safe, reliable, around-the-clock public transport is hugely important as our thriving region continues to grow,” the Greater Manchester Mayor explained.
“It was clear to us that Greater Manchester can only realise its potential as a catalyst for growth if we have the right infrastructure to get people to and from employment centres whatever the time, day or night.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Night buses will provide a lifeline to those working in this vitally important sector, where shifts can go on into the night and early morning when public transport options are scarce and personal safety may be a concern.
“I am delighted that tens of thousands of people in Greater Manchester will now be able to benefit from this pilot.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Drivers warned of ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter
Emily Sergeant
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ on the roads that could seem them hit with hefty fines as winter rolls around.
Once the temperatures drop, and the days get shorter and darker, fog tends to become a more common weather occurrence around this time of year – but an eye-opening new survey has found that most drivers don’t really how to use their fog lights correctly.
According to guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), fog lights should only be used on British roads when visibility drops below 100 metres, yet the new research by eBay has found that 60% of drivers use their fog lights at the wrong times, and what’s more is that one in 10 say they switch on their fog lights when visibility is less than 300 metres.
48% of drivers who took part in the research admitted that they activate full-beam headlights when it’s dark, regardless of oncoming traffic and other road users.
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter / Credit: Nabeel Syed (via Unsplash)
The RAC says these stats reveal a ‘worrying trend’ among motorists, and have warned that these habits could actually means drivers are risking fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on their licence.
If the incorrect usage of fog lights wasn’t bad enough as it is, the new research also found that many Brits say they do not stay on-top of regular car maintenance when it comes to car fog lights, either – with just 15% saying they check them every month, and shockingly, 24% stating they’ve never checked them before.
Due to the ongoing issue of headlight glare, in whatever form that may be, The RAC has found that as many as one in four drivers (25%) who find headlights ‘too bright’ are actually driving less as a result.
“Unfortunately for a lot of drivers, the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort,” explained Rod Dennis, who is the Senior Policy Officer at the RAC.
“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling.
“At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead, so there’s a balance to be struck.”
Featured Image – Robin the Bird (via Unsplash)
News
Police investigation underway following ‘shocking’ arson at Marple Cenotaph on Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal for information has been issued after a fire was started near a war memorial in Stockport on Bonfire Night.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is currently investigating after officers were called out around 9:50pm on Bonfire Night (Wednesday 5 November) following reports of a group of males near to the Cenotaph in Marple.
When police arrived at the scene, they found that a fire had been started in a bin and wooden pallets had been set alight – with the ground nearby having been damaged.
Neighbourhood officers in Marple are now investigating and are appealing for information in relation to this incident.
The incident has been described as a reckless act that could have ended with more damage and even serious injury.
“The Cenotaph means a lot to the community and incidents like this are deeply upsetting, particularly at a time when we should be honouring the memory of our war veterans,” explained Sergeant Rachel Walton, of GMP’s Stockport East Neighbourhood Policing Team.
“We are working closely with partners at Stockport Council and the fire service to ensure the area is cleaned and restored.
“We want to identify the individuals responsible, and we will have extra high-visibility patrols in the park each evening leading up to the Remembrance Day service on Sunday (9 November).”
This incident is just one of a total of 350 calls related to fire or fireworks that GMP responded to on Bonfire Night, which is said to be an increase from 203 last year.
A total of 27 arrests were made across Greater Manchester, with four weapons and hundreds of fireworks seized.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2024 
