Andy Burnham: What Improvements Can Be Expected in the Near Future for Bee Network?
This article was written by one of our Young Reporters, a scheme that gives 14 to 18-year-old school students a chance to write for a real newspaper. Find out more at the Young Reporter website.
Recently, Andy Burnham - Mayor of Greater Manchester - has announced he is campaigning in the by-election (which is just around the corner on the 18th of June) for Makerfield MP.
As me and eight other students were given the chance to interview with Burnham, I was asked if there was any improvements expected when it came to Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s public transport system.
Whilst Bee Network has a proud reputation in Greater Manchester as being a huge improvement from what was previously in place, there is a wide range of mixed feelings on certain aspects of the Network.
Whilst the Network is a massive upgrade based on the poor system that came before it, one of example of this being punctuality rates which were from under 70% (which has increased by 15% in the following years), regular users still find underlying challenges using public transport.
Focusing on specifically issues like punctuality and faulty technology which are the most common complained-about issues, Burnham clarified that not every issue can be blamed on the Network itself, and with issues such as punctuality, road works or traffic have to be factored into the equation.
“We are trying to improve it all the time.” Burnham said in response, discussing how these uncontrollable factors can be detrimental to the expectations of the Network.
Whilst talking about the problem, Burnham stated that the Network isn’t always fault for these inconveniences. “So, you know, you can’t always blame the bus company.”
Most prominently, issues like faulty and confusing app features and in-need-of-repair technology stand out the most in terms of demands.
“With the Bee Network, we’re kind of never satisfied. And what we’re trying to do is constantly listen to feedback and improve it all of the time.” Responded Burnham, persistent that the Network will continue to improve over time.
For the youth in Greater Manchester, public transport is a huge factor in our daily lives.
Many teenagers are heavily dependant on the Network, and whilst some may struggle with the mentioned issues and some may not, to have the knowledge they are taken into consideration is a comforting thought.
“We know it can be better as well, but we believe it will slowly and continuously get better.” Was the closing remark from Burnham on the topic.
Overall, I have great confidence that Bee Network will only continue to improve over time, due to the Mayors satisfactory answers and determination to improve an already proving to be functioning system.
