Bee Network reaches 50 million tram journeys, expands to buses March 23

The Bee Network in Greater Manchester has achieved a significant milestone with 50 million contactless 'tap and go' tram journeys, just before launching the payment system on buses on March 23. The milestone journey occurred on March 20, marking a notable increase in usage since the system's introduction in 2019, which has seen 16.5 million journeys in the past year—a 20% rise from the previous year. Approximately 64% of these journeys are now made using contactless devices like smartphones and smartwatches. The integration of buses into the Bee Network is anticipated to create a seamless travel experience, with capped fares for combined bus and tram journeys. Mayor Andy Burnham emphasized that this development aligns Greater Manchester with major global cities' transport systems. The most popular starting point for journeys remains St Peter’s Square, contributing significantly to the total tap and go figure.