The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that Greater Manchester Combined Authority is set to deliver a fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by 2030 thanks to a £2.5bn funding boost.
Greater Manchester government ministers are in Rochdale this morning [Wednesday 4 June] to announce details of the Transport for the City Regions funding
One of the schemes touted is the delivery of a thousand new electric buses alongside trams powered by renewable energy and e-bikes for hire.
Key projects will include:
- In Stockport, Greater Manchester will begin construction of a new Metrolink line, bringing Bee Network trams to the town centre
- Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury will be connected to each other through the delivery of new tram-train services
- North Manchester, Bury and Oldham will receive new Metrolink stops
- Leigh and central Manchester will see the creation of new transport interchanges, with Bury’s interchange completed
- Across Greater Manchester, local rail services will be integrated into the Bee Network, fully joining up train travel with buses, trams and active travel
- Town centres across the city region (e.g. Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Middleton, Stretford) will see new public transport and active travel infrastructure to support ongoing regeneration
Greater Manchester is already home to more than 80 zero-emission buses meaning that 14 more bus routes across the city region are now serviced by electric vehicles.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come.
“Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030.
“With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel.
“Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average. This funding – together with our devolved decision-making powers – can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come.
“It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region.”
Achievements in sustainable transport planning will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
