Travel & Tourism

Plans to bring Greater Manchester’s rail services onto the Bee Network unveiled

"Our rail system today is acting as a brake on growth."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 22nd January 2025

Ambitious plans to bring all rail services in Greater Manchester onto the Bee Network have been unveiled this week.

After the success of all the region’s buses returning to local control at the start of the year, Mayor Andy Burnham has set out Greater Manchester’s step-by-step plan to bring rail into the Bee Network by 2028, working alongside the rail industry to do this as the next part of his joined-up ‘London-style’ public transport system, which is intended to boost passenger numbers, and drive growth across the region.

Developed in partnership with the rail industry, Department for Transport (DfT) and Shadow Great British Rail, Mr Burnham says his plan is aimed at not only improving transport but unlocking major regeneration and housing opportunities on land around the region’s stations too.

Greater Manchester’s proposition is for eight commuter rail lines, covering 64 stations, to be brought into the Bee Network in three phases over the next five years.

Under the plan, the first two lines – which will work to connect Manchester to Glossop and Stalybridge, in Tameside – will join the Bee Network by December 2026, and then a further 32 stations, and all lines within Greater Manchester, would join by 2030.

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According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), by 2028, the plan for Bee Network rail integration is scheduled to deliver the long-awaited ‘tap in, tap out’ contactless ticketing system, and simpler integrated capped fares across all bus, tram, and train services.

Not only that, but Greater Manchester leaders have also committed to working with the Government and the rail industry to “improve reliability” and “implement service changes” to help drive growth too.

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Another major change is that TfGM has said it will work with the rail industry to accelerate the delivery of accessibility improvements – with more than 60% of stations on the eight lines set to have step-free access by 2028, compared to 43% at the end of 2024.

“Our rail system today is acting as a brake on growth and, as the UK’s fastest growing city-region, Greater Manchester deserves better,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, as he unveiled his plans this week.

Andy Burnham urges Greater Manchester residents to ‘switch to the Bee Network’ in 2025

“We need a railway that is reliable and fully integrated with the rest of the Bee Network to drive growth and deliver new homes with public transport connections on the doorstep.

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“Our plan puts passengers first by delivering a simplified, joined-up public transport network, with better services, stations and overall experience. Only by making travel by train more reliable, simpler, flexible and accessible to everyone, will we convince more people to leave the car at home and make the switch to the Bee Network.”

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If everything goes according to plan, it’s expected to boost the number of trips by train by 1.3 million each year.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

Travel & Tourism

Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Digital driving licences are set to be introduced across the UK later this year, it has been announced.

Science Secretary Peter Kyle has announced today that, before 2025 is out, Brits will be given the option to use a digital version of their driver’s licence from their phone to easily prove their age when buying age restricted items online and in person, as well as proving their right to drive.

A mobile driver’s licence is set to be one of the first digital documents in a GOV.UK wallet app that’s being launched later this year.

The new wallet will allow users to securely store Government-issued documents on their phone, such as DBS checks, Veteran Cards, and loads more, as well as driving licences, and use them easily when needed by making use of a range of security features that are built into modern smart phones – including facial recognition checks.

According to the Government, the new service means that digital documents will be more secure, even if a device is lost. 

Traditional physical documents will still remain available, however.

Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year / Credit: GDS

The mobile driver’s licence will be piloted later in 2025, and all Government services will have to offer a digital alternative, alongside paper or card credentials, by the end of 2027 under plans set out by the blueprint for digital Government.

“This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.

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“The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone.”

Featured Image – Pxhere

Travel & Tourism

Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Manchester’s major central train stations could be set to close to the public for more than two years.

Hundreds of trains pass through Manchester Oxford Road each week, but that could soon be set to change, as Network Rail has today launched a public consultation on plans to carry out major upgrades at the station in a bid to “deliver improvements” for passengers and the wider rail network.

Upgrades include longer platforms, track and signalling improvements, and even the construction of a new station footbridge.

Proposed track layout and signalling improvements would reduce congestion by removing conflicting train movements, while overhead line equipment would also be upgraded, as well as over 900m of new track being laid.

Accessibility would also be improved throughout the station, with the proposed new footbridge increasing movement space for passengers and new lifts allowing step-free access to all platforms.

Wider resurfaced platforms, and improvements to existing lifts are also planned.

Network Rail says the aim of the public consultation is to “give everyone the opportunity to review outline proposals” and to “provide their views” so that these can be taken into account and inform further design.

Feedback is being invited on all scheme elements – such as design, construction, and the impacts of the scheme on the rail network, environment and community.  

Manchester Oxford Road station could close for more than two years for a major refurb / Credit: Northern

Speaking on the consultation as it launched today, Councillor Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have said for a long time that Oxford Road Station is in need of a range of improvements from easing the congestion, increasing capacity, improving reliability and ensuring that the station is accessible for all commuters.

“Any future development will be a long-term project but infrastructure upgrades like these are essential if we are to continue growing Manchester as the leading city of the North.”

The first round of consultation will run up until 28 February, both online via the feedback form available at here, as well as at two drop-in events at Friends’ Meeting House, on Mount Street in the city centre, on Saturday 1 February from 11am-4pm, and Monday 17 February from 2pm-7pm.

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A second round of consultation is due to take place before the end of 2025, and once both consultations have been considered, Network Rail is looking to submit the applications needed to build the scheme next year.

Featured Image – Network Rail

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