Greater Manchester has approved £65 million to speed up the shift to a zero-emission public transport system.
The package includes £59.1 million for around 220 new electric buses and £5.7 million to develop tram-train plans on the Oldham–Rochdale–Heywood–Bury corridor.
The new buses are expected to enter service in late 2026. They add to nearly 350 electric buses already in operation, representing around 20% of the fleet.
TfGM recently introduced 12 new electric buses on the Manchester city centre Free Bus routes. These vehicles replaced older diesel models, making journeys quieter and cleaner while increasing passenger numbers by 10% over the past year.
Alongside bus investment, the Bee Network Committee approved funding to progress the tram-train pathfinder scheme. The project aims to identify vehicles capable of running on both tram and rail infrastructure, expanding connectivity across the region.
Additional funding has been allocated for a new Travel Hub in Tyldsley, due to start construction in the New Year. The hub will provide 99 parking spaces, including EV charging points, to further integrate sustainable transport options.
The £65 million investment forms part of the £1.07 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. The programme supports Greater Manchester’s goal of a fully integrated zero-emission transport system by 2030, with 90% of residents living within a five-minute walk of frequent services.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “The Bee Network is making public transport more affordable, frequent and cleaner and these further steps will deliver more improvements for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.”
Bee Network creates green transport buzz appeared first on Energy Live News.