Tameside set for major transport boost as rail joins the Bee Network in 2026

With just one year to go until rail becomes part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, Tameside is preparing for a major leap forward in connectivity.

From December 2026, rail services, including lines running through Stalybridge and Ashton, will join buses and trams in what will become the UK’s first fully integrated public transport system outside London.

The two initial rail lines entering the Bee Network will benefit from contactless “tap in, tap out” ticketing, upgraded stations, clearer travel information and better interchange with bus and tram services. Local leaders say the move marks the start of a long-term transformation in how people across Tameside and Greater Manchester travel.

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 every day 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.”

Residents across Ashton, Stalybridge and beyond can expect a wave of improvements, including station upgrades at Ashton and Stalybridge featuring Bee Network branding and enhanced customer information, simpler fares and contactless payments across bus, tram and train services, improved step-free access at key local stations, transport-led regeneration supporting ongoing redevelopment in Ashton and Stalybridge town centres.

There are also long-term ambitions for tram-train technology, which could see Denton connected directly to Manchester and neighbouring districts for the first time in generations. This would offer greener travel choices, cut car dependency and help unlock Denton’s growth as part of Greater Manchester’s integrated transport future.

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.”

The integration will continue to expand after 2026. From January 2028, eight rail lines and 64 stations – including Ashton, Stalybridge and nine others across Tameside – will operate fully within the Bee Network, with tap-and-go payments and daily and weekly fare caps.

By 2030, the remaining 32 stations across Greater Manchester will join the system, completing a transport network designed to make travel simpler, fairer and more sustainable for all.