Two new functions designed to make it easier for people to plan and track their bus journeys have been added the Bee Network app, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced.
A new journey planner is now available on the Bee Network with a live bus tracking service to follow, adding to an existing range of functions on the app for customers.
The journey planner enables people to plan any trip using public transport, whether it’s bus, tram or train, as well as walking, wheeling and cycling routes. The planner will also show ‘Park and Ride’ locations and bike hire stations.
Meanwhile, the bus tracker allows customers to see where their bus is on a map. In the coming weeks, work will be ongoing to continually improve the accuracy of the service as TfGM takes more control of the network.
The new additions have been designed to complement existing Bee Network app features including live departure times for local bus, tram and train stops and stations; the ability to buy tram tickets, Bee AnyBus travelcards, and Bee AnyBus + Tram travelcards; access to travel alerts and the ‘rate my journey feature’.
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The bus tracker was rolled out ahead of the second phase of franchised bus services launched in Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Bury, Salford and North Manchester on Sunday, 24 March.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “We’re making real progress with the Bee Network app and I’m pleased to confirm that the new journey planner and live bus tracker will both be available in the coming week, making it easier for passengers to plan their journey, buy tickets, and see exactly where their bus is on the route.”
The Bee Network is Greater Manchester’s vision for an integrated, ‘London-style transport system, which aims to change the way people travel across the city region. It launched on 24 September 2023 with the implementation of the first phase of bus franchising across Wigan, Bolton and parts of Bury and Salford.
The change that took place on 24 March meas a total of 324 bus routes – 188 routes in phase one and 136 routes in phase two – totalling 50% of the bus network in Greater Manchester, are managed by TfGM as part of the Bee Network.
General bus services in phase two are operated by Stagecoach, First Group and Diamond under a franchising arrangement.
Achievements and innovations in public transport will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector.
