Bee Network: Greater Manchester now operates 500 battery-electric buses

The Greater Manchester area has reached an electric fleet milestone. Its 500th e-bus was delivered by manufacturer Wrightbus and is now in operation on the so-called "Bee Network". Meanwhile, 99 routes in this network are now fully served by electric buses.

The Bee Network is a major project launched in 2023 in Greater Manchester, designed to integrate buses, trams, cycling and – eventually, rail – into a single, interconnected transport system. Currently, the Bee Network already operates 500 battery-electric buses – nearly 30 per cent of its total fleet.

As a reminder: Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) secured £59.1 million (approximately €67.3 million) in funding at the end of 2025 to support the procurement of 220 additional units, as previously reported. The expansion of the electric fleet is therefore progressing steadily. Accordingly, bus depots are also being electrified, with work at the Hyde Road and Oldham sites now complete. Additionally, new energy and charging infrastructure has been installed at depots in Ashton, Bolton and Middleton. Furthermore, TfGM reports that around 160 more electric buses have been ordered and are on their way to the metropolitan region.

“It puts Greater Manchester on track for a fully electric fleet by 2030. This transition is set to cut over 76,000 tonnes of CO2 and 280 tonnes of nitrogen oxides every year and support Greater Manchester’s investment-led approach to improving air quality,” the operator emphasises. For comparison: just three years ago – before Transport for Greater Manchester began bringing bus services under public control – there were only 35 electric buses operating in and around Manchester.

According to TfGM, 99 Bee Network routes are now fully served by electric buses. Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, commented: “This electrification work is a crucial part of our investment-led approach to improving air quality which is working. By taking old buses off our streets and keeping fares on the Bee Network affordable, we’re improving the experience of getting on board the bus for communities right across the city region”

The modernisation of the remaining depots in the Bee Network is progressing as planned: design work is already underway, and electrification measures are set to begin next year. As energy demand for operating the Bee Network grows, TfGM has also recently signed a long-term clean energy agreement, which “will provide renewable electricity at a fixed price to protect against cost spikes.”