Bee Network reveals first new bus route after link was cancelled as Trafford Centre service doubles

The new 615 service will connect Wigan and Middlebrook retail park. Previous links between the two areas were cancelled four years ago. It is set to begin from Sunday, October 27 and will run hourly. 

Wigan will also see more connections with the Trafford Centre. The 132 service between the two areas will be doubled, running every 30 minutes instead of hourly. 

Both changes have been made in order to improve connections between Wigan and the two major retail areas in the run up to the busy Christmas period. It is also a popular commuter route.  Changes to the bus routes and timetables will be updated on the bus stops. All  information can be found on the Bee Network website and app.  

Local authorities are hailing this as the latest achievement of the Bee Network, which was launched just over a year ago. As part of the roll-out, Greater Manchester has brought the bus network back under local control.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The introduction of the first new Bee Network bus service is an important milestone. Once again, we are proving the benefits of a locally controlled and accountable bus network by delivering improvements for our local communities.

“With new and enhanced services connecting Wigan with the Trafford Centre and Middlebrook we are boosting access to jobs, retail and leisure opportunities – which is especially welcome in the lead-up to Christmas. The only way we can grow the Bee Network, improve services and keep fares low is if more people use it, so I’d encourage everyone to get onboard and enjoy our cleaner, cheaper and more reliable bus service.”  

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester said: “We have listened to feedback from the local community and I am delighted that we are moving quickly to introduce the first new Bee Network service connecting Wigan with Middlebrook and doubling the frequency of a key commuter and leisure route from Wigan to the Trafford Centre. As we further build the Bee Network, we look forward to working with all local authorities and their communities across Greater Manchester to shape a bus network that works for them.”

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “It is great to see these improvements to our bus services, with the Bee Network back under local control. Wigan borough was one of the first places in Greater Manchester to get Bee Network buses, and last month saw the V1 start trialling a 24-hour service between Leigh and Manchester Royal Infirmary. With the new 615 service restoring a previously scrapped route and more buses running from our borough to the Trafford Centre, these first 12 months have seen some great improvements in our local network.”