Tameside on track for transport transformation

With one year to go until rail joins Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, Tameside is set for a transport and connectivity boost as rail services prepare to join the Bee Network in December 2026, creating the UK’s first fully integrated public transport system outside London.

The first two lines – including services through Stalybridge and Ashton – will benefit from contactless ‘tap in, tap out’ ticketing, station upgrades, and improved links to buses and trams.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “With one year to go until rail joins the Bee Network, we are on the cusp of delivering a fully integrated, world-class transport system for our global city-region. These changes will make everyday journeys easier and open up new opportunities for people across Greater Manchester. I am excited for what the next twelve months will bring as we build a better, more connected future for us all. “This is just the beginning—more rail lines will follow in 2027 and 2028, as we continue our journey to make travel safer, easier and better connected to local communities, so people feel they are getting good value for money.

“Bringing rail into the Bee Network, alongside our long-term vision for rail in Greater Manchester, are all part of our plan and commitment to maximise good growth across the city region for the next decade and beyond which our residents and businesses deserve. This transformation draws clear parallels with Greater Manchester’s successful bus franchising rollout, which has delivered improved services, simpler fares, and greater local accountability.”

For Tameside, this means:

• Station upgrades in Ashton and Stalybridge with Bee Network branding and better travel information.
• Simpler fares and contactless payments across bus, tram, and train.
• Step-free access improvements at key stations.
• Transport-led regeneration in Ashton and Stalybridge town centres.

Future opportunities for Denton

Plans for tram-train technology could also bring Denton into the Bee Network in the coming years, offering direct, greener connections to Manchester and beyond. This innovation would transform local travel, reduce reliance on cars, and support Denton’s growth as part of Greater Manchester’s integrated transport vision.

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Leader of Tameside Council, said: “Tameside is on the brink of a transport-led transformation that will drive economic growth and breathe new life into our town centres. Strategic developments in Ashton and Stalybridge, coupled with enhanced rail connections and future tram-train opportunities for Denton, will position us as one of the best-connected areas in the country.”

“This is about more than just infrastructure, it’s about creating stronger links and simpler journeys across Greater Manchester and beyond, unlocking opportunities for our residents and businesses, and building a future where connectivity powers prosperity.”

From January 2028, eight rail lines and sixty-four stations including Ashton and Stalybridge and another nine in Tameside will be fully integrated with Bee Network buses and trams, with Tap and Go payments and daily and weekly fare caps. The remaining thirty-two stations will join the system by 2030 making travel simpler, fairer, and more sustainable.