Greater Manchester is targeting the devolution of selected local rail services following the agreement of a devolution deal with Government on 15 March. The single funding settlement is similar to those in place for Scotland and Wales; however, this is the first time such a flexible grant has been given to an English region.
Greater Manchester has a vision to improve public transport through the Bee Network – an integrated London-style transport system for the city region across bus, Metrolink, rail and cycle hire services. By 2030, Greater Manchester wants local public transport connectivity to be significantly closer to the standards of London, with improved services, simpler fares and integrated ticketing.
The devolution deal commits to activity to enable the delivery of full integration of local rail services into the Bee Network by 2030. This includes London-style touch-in/touch-out integrated fares and ticketing across bus, Metrolink and rail and Bee Network co-branding across the public transport network. This will be taken forward by a new Rail Partnership with Great British Railways, with the first pilots on integrated fares and ticketing agreed by the end of the year. A new North West Regional Business Unit and GM R…
