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Our Bee Network vision articulates an end-to-end passenger experience based on the values of inclusivity, accessibility, affordability, reliability and sustainability. The Bee Network will be a high-quality passenger focused experience developed around strong values by and for the people of Greater Manchester that will offer increased opportunities to embed equalities into planning and decision making and tackle systemic inequalities. Meeting the transport needs of our residents, businesses and visitors is at the heart of our 2040 Transport Strategy with one of the principles being inclusivity and an ambition to develop a fully inclusive and affordable sustainable transport system for all.

Taking a codesign approach will provide a meaningful opportunity for GM’s diverse communities to influence planning and decision making through participation – a 'nothing about us without us’ approach – this is core to the ongoing development of the Bee Network.

Through the delivery of the Bee Network, Transport for Greater Manchester's role is changing. We’re moving from being a principally infrastructure focussed organisation to one that is a more inclusive and customer focussed. We will develop and deliver a network which puts people and places at its heart informed by a deep understanding of our residents and communities and their different transport needs. Bus franchising in particular, will provide us with the opportunity to create a truly inclusive network that addresses inequality.

The Independent Inequalities Commission published a report in March 2021 which identified transport as a key enabler to deliver the city region's economic, environmental and quality of life goals. This finding was re-iterated by the commission in their one year on report, which emphasised the need to go further and faster to address outstanding inequalities across Greater Manchester. Ensuring that transport is accessible and affordable is essential for the successful implementation of other wider policy programmes and policies.

In response to the Independent Inequalities Commission report, TfGM commissioned an independent equalities audit. This was carried out to assist in refreshing our equality objectives and the processes used to assess the impact of TfGM’s strategies, policies and processes. The independent review considered TfGM’s role as a transport provider, anchor organisation and employer.

Our objectives have been informed by the review, alongside wider data and insight and engagement with Greater Manchester representative groups. These objectives form the basis of our new Inclusion and Equalities Strategy, set out in full on the following pages.


Overview of D&I

An overview of equalities at TfGM


Data and Evidence

Data and evidence