Andy Burnham has set out an ambitious new vision to transform Greater Manchester’s rail system over the next thirty years.

‘On the Right Track for Growth: A 2050 Vision for the Future of Rail in Greater Manchester’ was unveiled by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, during a speech at the Public Transport in the North of England conference in central Manchester yesterday.

Developed alongside rail industry partners, it sets out a roadmap to improve, grow and ultimately transform rail; doubling passenger numbers, supporting 75,000 new homes and unlocking £90bn in economic uplift across the North West area of the Northern Arc by 2050.

Greater Manchester’s rail network covers over 318km, across 96 stations. However, the current system faces significant challenges: limited local influence and accountability, many inaccessible stations, crowded services, and issues with reliability.

Acting on the government’s plans for reform, the new vision seeks to address these challenges, for a more responsive and dependable network supporting residents, businesses and communities.

The publication of the rail Vision comes almost a year before the first local rail services join the Bee Network from December 2026. Next week the Mayor will join industry leaders to set out a step-by-step plan of how passengers will benefit from new services, improved stations and simpler fares and ticketing in the months ahead.

From Sunday (7 December), the city-region becomes one of the first areas to benefit from simpler rail fares, in a key first step to making train travel across Greater Manchester easier. A confusing range of more than a dozen different fares will be replaced by two simple options: anytime or off-peak. The new fares will be valid on rail services run by all operators and all single journeys will be half the price of return trips.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester’s rail network plays a vital role in supporting our communities, powering our economy, and opening doors to opportunity – but for long has been held back from its true potential.

“The way projects and services are planned and delivered is changing, with long needed reform giving us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape rail for Greater Manchester.

“Simplifying rail fares is a key first step in making train travel easier and more accessible and the key to bringing local rail services into the Bee Network from December 2026.

“Greater Manchester has a proud railway heritage, and our Vision, developed with the industry, is about ensuring that everyone in our city-region can benefit from better connections, more reliable services, and a transport network that meets the needs of future generations.”

Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said: “Greater Manchester continues to deliver major improvements to transport to transform how people get around this rapidly growing region. As the first area to successfully bring buses under local control, the foundations have been laid for a fully integrated, safe, reliable, and efficient Bee Network.

“Integrating local train services is the next piece in the jigsaw. By bringing our rail services into the Bee Network from December 2026, we’re working with partners in the rail industry to deliver immediate benefits to customers and set a long-term plan to create a truly world-class, integrated public transport system.”

The plan, which follows the government introducing the Railway Bill to Parliament last month, sets out ambitions for:

New Connections: Several new stations, including Golborne and Cheadle, will add 30,000 people to the network.
Accessibility: By 2040, half of all stations will be upgraded for step-free access.
Regeneration and Growth: Plans include up to 75,000 new homes near the rail network and major regeneration at Old Trafford.
Manchester Piccadilly Transformation: A new underground station by 2050 will allow for increased capacity, supporting 40,000 new jobs, thousands of homes, and nearly a million square feet of new commercial space.

Tricia Williams, Managing Director of Northern, said: “We’re proud to have worked alongside Transport for Greater Manchester and industry partners to help create this ambitious long-term plan to improve and transform train travel in the region.

“We are committed to delivering a reliable and accessible railway in Greater Manchester that is fit for the future and supports economic growth.”