Say yellow to Bee Network Rail

Buses and trams are already part of the Bee Network. Now it's time for rail.

Bee-Network-Train-Piccadilly-2

The Bee Network is making it easier than ever to get around Greater Manchester on public transport or by walking, wheeling and cycling.

All local bus and tram services – and bike hire – are already part of the network. Now local rail is joining too.

The first train stations will come onboard from December 2026, with more following in 2027 and beyond.

What does Bee Network rail mean for you?

You may already have noticed changes at stations getting ready to join the Bee Network, which are being refreshed.

We’re adding new information points, installing tap and go card readers and improving access for passengers.

And that’s just the beginning.

Local rail will become a key part of the Bee Network, with easier ways to pay, better connections and simpler journeys across Greater Manchester.

With new rail features already added to the Bee Network app, planning your journey across bus, tram, train and bike is becoming simpler than ever.

Why say yellow to rail?

Rail is the next major step in creating a joined-up transport network for Greater Manchester.

As stations join the Bee Network, passengers will benefit from:

Better stations: Refreshed station environments, clearer signs, upgraded information screens, improved CCTV and help points.
Easier ways to pay: New ticketing options, including contactless rail tap and go payments and a new bus, tram and train day ticket.
Better information: Improved travel information online, in the Bee Network app and at stations.
Simpler journeys: Making it easier to switch between bus, tram and train services and walking, wheeling and cycling routes across Greater Manchester.

What's changing now?

The first stations are already being improved.

We’re working to get the first train stations ready to join the Bee Network, with a deep clean and a splash of yellow. Other improvements include:

clearer signs and wayfinding
improved information screens and announcements
upgraded help points and CCTV
Bee Network branding
better information for onward bus and tram connections

Better rail information

The Bee Network app is your one-stop shop for travel, bringing rail, bus, tram, cycling and walking information together in one place.

We’ve added new rail features so you can now:

check station facilities and accessibility information
check live train departures
see journey details (including journey time, the number of stops and train length)
get updates on replacement bus information during disruption

We’ll keep on improving the app so you can travel with confidence.

Download the Bee Network app and plan your rail, bus, tram and active travel journeys in one place.

More stations are joining the Bee Network sooner

We're working with the government and the rail industry to bring all 96 Greater Manchester train stations into the Bee Network by 2030.

We’ve now got the green light to bring even more stations and routes into the Bee Network over the next two years, so that more passengers benefit sooner.

The first 14 stations on the Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop route will join the Bee Network and get contactless tap and go in December 2026.
By March 2027, passengers will be able to use tap and go at 29 train stations across Greater Manchester, bringing easier ways to pay to more routes sooner than planned.

See a full list of stations joining the Bee Network.

When will my station join the Bee Network?

The map below shows when different routes and rail stations are planned to join the Bee Network, in phases through to 2030.

Rail franchising map with phases Aug 2026 update v4

Looking for a specific station?

Use our station-by-station list to find your station and see when it is expected to join the Bee Network.

At a glance

December 2026: First 14 stations join the Bee Network, with contactless rail tap and go.
March 2027: Contactless rail tap and go expands to 29 stations.
December 2027: More routes join and get tap and go, including Manchester Airport stopping services and Manchester to Cheadle Hulme and Middlewood (via Stockport).
End of 2028: Further routes join including lines serving Rochdale, Bolton, Wigan and Golborne.
2030: All 96 Greater Manchester stations planned to be part of the Bee Network.

Bee Network Rail rollout timeline

December 2026

The first 14 stations join the Bee Network: Passengers travelling between Manchester Piccadilly and Glossop will benefit from:

simpler journeys, improved stations and clearer information
easier ways to pay with contactless tap and go

A new bus, tram and train day ticket: Offering unlimited travel across the city region.

From 2027

trials of additional and later running services on the Airport, Alderley Edge and Rochdale lines

March 2027

A further 15 stations join the Bee Network:

Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge
Guide Bridge to Rose Hill Marple
Belle Vue to Strines

This will bring contactless tap and go to 29 stations across Greater Manchester.

December 2027

More local rail lines will join the Bee Network:

Manchester to Cheadle Hulme and Middlewood (via Stockport)
Airport stopping services (local trains that call at stations between Manchester and Manchester Airport)

2028

More services follow in 2028:

stopping services between Rochdale and Manchester
Wigan via Atherton (onward to Southport), Wigan via Bolton (onward to Southport), and Wigan via Golborne rail lines

By 2030

All 96 train stations in Greater Manchester are planned to join the Bee Network.

This means that contactless tap and go payments with capped fares will be brought in across bus, tram and train services.

All timings are subject to ongoing work between Greater Manchester leaders and the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Shadow Great British Railways and Train Operating Companies.

New tickets and easier ways to pay

We've already worked with government and the rail industry to simplify fares. Now we’re getting ready to introduce tap and go payments.

Since December 2025, rail passengers have benefited from:

two straightforward ticket options – Anytime and Off-Peak
single fares priced at half the cost of a return ticket
tickets valid on all rail services between Greater Manchester stations
an average fare reduction of 5.6%, making around 4.8 million journeys a year better value

Coming next

A new bus, tram and train day ticket

From December 2026, a new day ticket will offer unlimited bus, tram and train travel anywhere within Greater Manchester.

Whether you're commuting, shopping, meeting friends or enjoying a day out, the ticket will make it easier to travel across Greater Manchester using different types of transport.

We'll share more information about the ticket, including how and where to buy it, ahead of launch.

Contactless tap and go on rail

On Bee Network rail, you will be able to tap in and tap out to pay for your journey.

You’ll just need to make sure you use the same contactless bank card or device. We’ll choose the right ticket for you. It will be the same fare, with zero fees and no fuss for you.

At first, journeys must both start and finish at the 14 participating stations on the Manchester to Glossop line. More stations will be added as more rail stations join the Bee Network in stages.

Check back for more information about stations, fares and how rail tap and go works soon.

Your questions answered

Getting started

Bee Network Rail is the programme to bring local rail into Greater Manchester's joined-up transport network.

Rail stations and routes will join the Bee Network in phases through to 2030. As they join, passengers will benefit from improved stations, better information, simpler ticketing and easier connections with bus, tram, walking, wheeling and cycling routes.

Our aim is to make public transport and active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) easier to use, easier to understand and better connected across Greater Manchester.

The existing train operating companies will keep on running services under contract with the Department for Transport.

TfGM is working with government and the rail industry to improve the overall customer experience as rail joins the Bee Network.

That includes stations and services, better service reliability and better connections, journey information, and ticketing.

Rail stations in Greater Manchester will join the Bee Network in phases between December 2026 and 2030.

Use the Bee Network Rail map and station list to find your station and see the planned joining date.

The first 14 stations to get contactless tap and go will be on the Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop route from December 2026.

A further 15 stations will join in March 2027, bringing tap and go to 29 stations across Greater Manchester.

These include routes between:

Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge
Guide Bridge and Rose Hill Marple
Belle Vue and Strines

Further stations will follow in stages through to 2030.

Tap and go at Greater Manchester rail stations will work in a similar way to contactless travel on Metrolink.

Simply:

Tap in with your contactless card or device at the start of your journey.
Travel as normal.
Tap out using the same card or device when you reach your destination.

The system will automatically calculate the correct fare.

At first, tap and go can only be used for journeys that both start and finish at participating stations – expanding to all local stations by 2030.

What will change?

Bee Network Rail will make train travel easier and better connected with other public transport across Greater Manchester.

That includes train stations, trains, services, improving step-free access, customer information, and paying for travel, as well as better links with bus and tram services.

Easier to pay

a new bus, tram and train day ticket from December 2026
contactless tap and go introduced at all local train stations in phases

Better services

more evening and weekend services
trials of additional and later running services from 2027 on the Airport, Alderley Edge and Rochdale lines

Bee Network stations and trains

stations upgraded to a consistent standard
improved accessibility, safety and facilities
better waiting areas, toilets and signage

Better information

real-time updates at stations and in the Bee Network app
train service and onward bus and tram service information displayed on information screens

Bringing all 96 stations into the Bee Network is a major project.

It involves improving stations, introducing new ticketing technology and working with train operators, the rail industry and government.

Delivering the programme in stages means passengers can start benefiting sooner rather than waiting until every station is ready.

We're working with the rail industry and government to look at how we could potentially speed up the roll out of Bee Network rail, so check back for updates.

Yes. All 96 train stations in Greater Manchester are planned to join the Bee Network by 2030.

That's when contactless tap and go and capped fares are planned to be available across bus, tram and train services throughout Greater Manchester.

We're also exploring how more benefits could be delivered sooner.

Looking ahead

Improving accessibility is a major part of Greater Manchester's long-term plan for rail.

Around 70% of stations in Greater Manchester are planned to have step-free access by 2029, up from around 58% today.

We expect to upgrade twice as many stations in the next three years through to 2029 as were upgraded in the previous decade.

Find out more on the Access for All webpage.

Yes. Two new stations are currently planned to improve connections across Greater Manchester so that more people can access jobs, education, homes and local opportunities.

Golborne: We’re now building the first new station in Greater Manchester in more than 20 years. Find out more on the Golborne Station webpage.

Cheadle: Government funding has been secured and work is due to start soon, subject to industry approvals.

Bee Network Rail is part of a wider plan to improve rail services, stations, accessibility and customer experience across Greater Manchester.

A roadmap is in place to transform rail travel across the city region through to 2050, including:

new connections and service improvements, including tram-train services
more accessible stations
modern rolling stock
new homes and regeneration near the rail network
transforming Manchester Piccadilly station

Find out more on the Vision for Rail web page.

The Bee Network is being developed alongside national rail reform and Greater Manchester's plans for a more joined-up transport system.

TfGM is working closely with government as it:

Creates Great British Railways by bringing the railways together under a single public body to simplify how it is run and improve the passenger experience.
Introduces reforms and new laws that give city regions like Greater Manchester more influence over local rail services.

Together, these changes will help create a simpler, more joined-up railway for passengers.