We work in partnership with lots of groups which represent the needs and interests of the local communities, organisations and sectors that rely on the Bee Network. This helps us to include different perspectives and lived experience in our decision making, whether we are building a new interchange, developing a new policy or improving our customer service.
Sometimes we work together through formal arrangements. But we also build relationships with groups across Greater Manchester and beyond to influence a Bee Network for Greater Manchester, by Greater Manchester.
If you represent a group and are interested in working with us, please get in touch by email at engagement@tfgm.com.
Here are some of the groups we work with:
Equalities groups we work with
Disability Design Reference Group
The Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG) is our advisory group made up of individuals with a range of different disabilities who provide advice based on their personal experience of traveling on the Bee Network. They work collaboratively with us in designing an integrated, accessible public and active travel network.
The DDRG is coordinated by the disabled people's organisation, Breakthrough UK, and includes members with a range of impairments, as well as representation of different genders, ages, ethnic backgrounds and geographic locations. Membership of DDRG is refreshed every 2-3 years to ensure we continue to hear a good cross section of opinions and experiences.
We set up the DDRG in 2008 to embed accessibility into everything we do. DDRG has been fundamental in the development of the Bee Network so far, having influenced projects such as:
- expansion and enhancement of the Metrolink tram system,
- bus fleet design,
- junction design,
- customer travel information including signage, audio visual information and the Bee Network App.
Travel Training Forum
The Travel Training Forum meets quarterly and is attended by those involved in travel training across the 10 Greater Manchester districts.
It's an opportunity for those who support young people in learning to travel independently across the city region to come together to meet with peers and talk to us about how the Bee Network can help to remove barriers experienced by disabled people.
Greater Manchester Equality Panels
Greater Manchester Combined Authority has established a number of Equality Panels to engage with Greater Manchester’s diverse communities. We work with the panels to help make sure the Bee Network responds to the opportunities and challenges of interest to the communities the panels represent.
Business groups we work with
Business Transport Advisory Council
Our Business Transport Advisory Council (BTAC) brings together a panel of business leaders to help us develop a Bee Network that works well for the Greater Manchester business community as well as their employees and customers.
Businesses represented on BTAC operate in a range of sectors, come from various locations across the city-region and range from micro to large in size.
By enabling more people to use public transport and active travel for business trips and commuting, it helps to support the Bee Network, the environment and the local economy.
You can find the current BTAC membership below:
- Erin MacTague - Picture Shop (Salford) Co-Chair
- Paul Ambrose - Rochdale BID (Rochdale)
- Rachael Flaszczak - The Snug Coffee House (Wigan)
- Tom Matthew - Dunsters Farm (Bury)
- Andrew Picken - HSQE Ltd (Wigan)
- David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep (Wigan)
- Daisy Whitehouse - Down at the Social (Manchester)
- Phill Marples - Music Magpie (Stockport)
- Jennie Heeley-Wiggins - Drinks of Manchester Ltd (Manchester)
- Matthew Heath - Frederic Robinson Ltd (Stockport)
- Will Hamilton - KPMG (Manchester)
- Emma Bradshaw - EY (Manchester)
- Ewen Miller - Calderpeel (Trafford)
- A colleague from The Growth Company sits as an observer on BTAC.
2024-25 Business Transport Advisory Council Annual Report
The 2024-25 annual report summarises the key findings from our regular meetings with BTAC members between January 2024 - February 2025. The report provides a set of recommendations and actions for TfGM.
View the report here:
If you need any alternative formats, please contact engagement@tfgm.com.
Bee Net Zero partnership
We are part of the Bee Net Zero (BNZ) partnership. BNZ unites a range of organisations and support programmes from across Greater Manchester who are committed to making the transition as straightforward and cost-efficient as possible for businesses.
Business Improvement Districts
Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are business-led and business funded organisations. They are formed in geographical areas when local businesses vote to invest together to improve their local environment. We sit on a number of BIDs across the Greater Manchester area and support the local business communities around their priorities.
Greater Manchester Business Board
TfGM is represented on the Greater Manchester Business Board to ensure alignment between transport priorities and the city region’s strategic business and economic vision.
Business representative organisations
We work collaboratively with a number of business representative organisations at a local, city-region, regional and national level, to understand business transport priorities and support economic growth.
Other Greater Manchester partnerships
Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Accord
We are part of the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Accord. The Accord is a collaboration agreement which commits members to further develop how we work together to improve outcomes for Greater Manchester’s communities and citizens.