Scrap the Bee Network!
Scrap the Bee Network!
The Issue
The rollout of new franchised buses in Greater Manchester began in September 2023 in Bolton and Wigan, with Go North West winning both large contracts and Diamond Bus winning several small ones.
Since launch, the service particularly on routes out of the large depots ran by Go North West have been plagued with problems including late and cancelled buses, a lack of drivers, a more complicated and inconsistent fare structure, and poor communication from new 'centralised' customer service teams.
In March 2024, the rollout extended to Oldham and Rochdale with Stagecoach winning the large contracts in Oldham, Middleton, and Queens Road, and First Bus operating Rochdale routes and Diamond Bus a small contract in Oldham.
It seems there has been zero lessons learnt from tranche 1 in September with many of the same issues occuring. If anything, I'd say tranche 2 has gone even worse! Particularly routes ran out to Oldham depot has seen short notice cancellations and some hourly local services seeing 5 journeys in a row cancelled!
From January 2025, the remaining parts of Greater Manchester (South Manchester) joins the Bee Network, and annouced today 4 of the 5 large contracts will be operated by new entrant Metroline (ComfortDelGro).
It appears once again zero lessons has been learnt from previous tranches and the added concern about tranche 3 in 2025 is that ComfortDelGro will have no existing operation locally to draw on for support (in terms of buses or drivers). There will no doubt be a number of drivers at the current depots in South Manchester who will take up positions with Stagecoach either at their franchised operations in North Manchester, or at other Stagecoach companies such as Merseyside or Lancashire creating a bigger shortage for ComfortDelGro to deal with in January.
Additional to operations, from a passenger perspective- there has been little change to the travelling experience with the same routes running practically identical timetables with just a few new buses.
The new buses and improved timetables could have been implemented faster, and at zero risk to the taxpayer in a partnership approach (But the mayor wanted control!)
Its clear the Bee Network is a mess! It's time to admit failure and scrap it before more damage is done!
72
The Issue
The rollout of new franchised buses in Greater Manchester began in September 2023 in Bolton and Wigan, with Go North West winning both large contracts and Diamond Bus winning several small ones.
Since launch, the service particularly on routes out of the large depots ran by Go North West have been plagued with problems including late and cancelled buses, a lack of drivers, a more complicated and inconsistent fare structure, and poor communication from new 'centralised' customer service teams.
In March 2024, the rollout extended to Oldham and Rochdale with Stagecoach winning the large contracts in Oldham, Middleton, and Queens Road, and First Bus operating Rochdale routes and Diamond Bus a small contract in Oldham.
It seems there has been zero lessons learnt from tranche 1 in September with many of the same issues occuring. If anything, I'd say tranche 2 has gone even worse! Particularly routes ran out to Oldham depot has seen short notice cancellations and some hourly local services seeing 5 journeys in a row cancelled!
From January 2025, the remaining parts of Greater Manchester (South Manchester) joins the Bee Network, and annouced today 4 of the 5 large contracts will be operated by new entrant Metroline (ComfortDelGro).
It appears once again zero lessons has been learnt from previous tranches and the added concern about tranche 3 in 2025 is that ComfortDelGro will have no existing operation locally to draw on for support (in terms of buses or drivers). There will no doubt be a number of drivers at the current depots in South Manchester who will take up positions with Stagecoach either at their franchised operations in North Manchester, or at other Stagecoach companies such as Merseyside or Lancashire creating a bigger shortage for ComfortDelGro to deal with in January.
Additional to operations, from a passenger perspective- there has been little change to the travelling experience with the same routes running practically identical timetables with just a few new buses.
The new buses and improved timetables could have been implemented faster, and at zero risk to the taxpayer in a partnership approach (But the mayor wanted control!)
Its clear the Bee Network is a mess! It's time to admit failure and scrap it before more damage is done!
72
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Petition created on 28 March 2024