The Go-Ahead Group is making its final preparations to run Manchester’s first Bee Network buses over the weekend of Sunday 24 September, with services due to begin on 50 routes in Bolton and Wigan. More than 1,000 staff at Go-Ahead’s Go North West division are involved in the effort to ensure a smooth start for the region’s new yellow Bee Network-branded buses following a 10 month-long period since the award of a contract to Go North West by TfGM. Go North West is taking over two depots from outgoing operators; the firm explained that buses will be swapped out, with fully trained new drivers put in place overnight.
Of the Bolton and Wigan fleet, 50 buses are zero-emission electric vehicles. Nigel Featham, Managing Director at Go North West, said: “It’s all change for Manchester’s buses and we have a team of over 1,000 people ready to go this weekend. We’ve been working around the clock for months on a mammoth operation – every vehicle, every depot and every driver needs to be ready. We are determined to deliver world class public transport for a world class city. Go-Ahead is proud to be working with the Mayor and with Transport for Greater Manchester over this exciting changeover weekend.”
