A Northern train has been painted in yellow livery to promote the integration of Greater Manchester’s train services into the region’s Bee Network from December 2026.

From 13th December 2026, the lines from Manchester to Glossop and Manchester to Stalybridge will be the first to join the Bee Network. The yellow Bee Network train, unveiled by Mayor Andy Burnham and industry leaders, will promote the benefits of the new services, improved stations, and a simpler fare structure.

Seventeen stations on those lines will be upgraded with Bee Network branding, contactless ‘tap in, tap out’ ticketing, and new customer information points to improve the interchange between trains, trams, buses, and bikes.

More routes will join the Bee Network in 2027 and 2028, as well as the introduction of contactless and capped fares to integrate buses, trams, and trains.

As of last Sunday, 7th December, a new fare structure has been introduced in preparation for contactless payments and integration with the Bee Network, effective from next December. From now on, if there is a disruption to travel in Greater Manchester, tickets will be accepted for bus, tram, and train services.

By next March, information about railway stations, car parking and cycling spaces, and the availability of step-free access will be available on the Bee Network app and the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website. Real-time train service departure and disruption information will be added by next summer, and a journey planner will be added next autumn.

Next year, there will be new airport services, stations will be upgraded, and customer information will be improved.

At Bryn station in Wigan, work has already started on providing step-free access, and Hindley, Reddish North, and Swinton will follow.

“With one year to go until rail joins the Bee Network, we are on the cusp of delivering a fully integrated, world-class transport system for our global city-region. These changes will make everyday journeys easier and open up new opportunities for people across Greater Manchester. I am excited for what the next twelve months will bring as we build a better, more connected future for us all.”

“This is just the beginning – more rail lines will follow in 2027 and 2028, as we continue our journey to make travel safer, easier and better connected to local communities, so people feel they are getting good value for money.”

“Bringing rail into the Bee Network, alongside our long-term vision for rail in Greater Manchester, are all part of our plan and commitment to maximise good growth across the city region for the next decade and beyond, which our residents and businesses deserve. This transformation draws clear parallels with Greater Manchester’s successful bus franchising rollout, which has delivered improved services, simpler fares, and greater local accountability.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester