A long-awaited ‘night bus’ pilot is to get underway across Greater Manchester in just over a month’s time.
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 a 24-hour transport pilot will kick off from the start of September.
Night buses will first 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.
A 24-hour transport pilot will begin in parts of Greater Manchester from September 1.
Night buses will run on the V1 and the 36, connecting Manchester with Leigh and Bolton via Salford – areas which were among the first to be taken over by the #BeeNetwork.
According to TfGM, the trial will see services run at least every hour.
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As Greater Manchester continues to “go for growth”, these new bus services will work to provide 24-hour connectivity for around 135,000 people living within 400m – or about five minute walk – from the V1 and 36.
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.
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They also serve areas with high numbers of people who are less likely to own a car and therefore more likely to use public transport.
A 24-hour ‘night bus’ pilot is to begin across Greater Manchester later this year / Credit: TfGM
Andy Burnham says he is “really excited” for the 24-hour night bus trial launch.
“Better transport at night is something I know people have been crying out for,” the Mayor of Greater Manchester said in a statement ahead of the launch later this year.
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“The Bee Network allows us to develop the services that best serve people and businesses across our city region. Transport should never be a barrier to opportunity, and this is a step towards improving things for people who work or want to work in our hospitals, care homes, clubs, bars, distribution centres, or theatres.”
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.
Featured Image – TfGM
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Rules around booking driving tests in UK change from today to make system ‘fairer’
Emily Sergeant
The rules around booking driving tests in the UK are officially set to change from today in a bid to make the system ‘fairer’.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now introduced new rules for car driving test bookings, putting learners ‘firmly in control’ of their own booking, as it is now against the law for third parties – including unofficial test booking and cancellation finder services, as well as driving instructors – to make bookings for someone else.
It will also be a breach of DVSA’s terms and conditions for the booking service for third parties to change, swap, or cancel a driving test for someone else.
Learners should only ever pay the official DVSA fee – which is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
The Government says the new rules aim to make booking driving tests ‘fairer’ for learner drivers.
While driving instructors will no longer be able to book tests on behalf of of learners, they will still be able to advise learners on when they are ready to take a test, as well as set their available times to prevent learners from booking tests at times that do not work for them.
Following on from changes to test alterations which were introduced at the end of March, from 9 June 2026, further restrictions will come into force limiting learners to moving their test only to one of the three nearest driving test centres.
The DVSA has also pledged to continue increasing driving examiner capacity to help provide more tests for learners to book.
“Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties, put them in control of their driving test, and make the process fairer by clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices,” commented Beverley Warmington, who is the DVSA Chief Executive.
“These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others.
“These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test.”
Featured Image – Pxfuel
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Canal Street cordoned off after ‘suspicious chemicals’ reported at hotel
Daisy Jackson
Canal Street and several other streets in the Gay Village in Manchester have been cordoned off this afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police are attending reported of a smell that’s believed to be chemicals coming from a hotel room in the area.
There’s a huge emergency services presence in the area, including vehicles from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, and the North West Ambulance Service.
Police have confirmed that they have detained a man who is believed to have been the occupant of the hotel room.
The hotel itself has been evacuated while the material is examined.
Thankfully, no one has been injured in the incident that has shut down part of Canal Street today.
Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal StreetThe cordon in place on Canal Street
GMP said in a statement: “We are currently searching a hotel room at a premises on Canal Street, Manchester. This follows a report of a smell – currently believed to be chemicals – causing suspicion.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, has been detained and is currently in custody.
“As a precautionary measure, the hotel has been evacuated while specialist resources examine the material and conduct further enquiries.
“No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances. We thank people for their patience as we continue with our work.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd July 2024 
