Bee Network performance on the up in Bolton and Wigan

The authorities took control of the buses, from tickets to timetables, when it launched in Bolton and Wigan on September 24.

Initially, it was clear it was not without its issues, as passengers complained of problems with the buses not turning up on time or the buses not turning up at all as well as problems with the associated app.

However, in an update to the Bee Network committee, Mr Burnham said the performance is improving. The punctuality of the service started at below 60 per cent but it rose to around 74.4 per cent within one month, a level of performance comparable to if not a bit better than the level of performance this time last year.

He said: "It is no surprise, because everyone heard the complaints, but we started a bit below from a punctuality perspective. 

"The figure was around 60 per cent or a bit below at times. However, if you follow the lines, what you will see from around the start of the month onwards is the yellow line [post-franchising performance] going above the grey line [pre-franchising performance] and not always, but mostly, getting some headroom above the old system. Those are the figures which I think are encouraging a month on. 

"They are cumulative so someone might say what about the 572 [Bolton to Great Lever] or what about the 34 [Leigh to St Helens]. 

"They might say this is not my experience as a passenger and we would acknowledge there have been issues on particular routes."

The Bee Network is a risk in that it relies in an increase in patronage in to be sustainable.

Mr Burnham said around 100,000 passengers are using the services in Bolton and Wigan on the average weekday in what is an increase of around eight per cent.

He said: "We've performed above the assumptions we've made for most of the month. 

"We are in a strong position and it should give colleagues some encouragement as the signs are things are coming down on the reassuring side of the line rather than coming down on the worrying side of the line."

Eamonn Boylan, chief executive of the combined authority and Transport for Greater Manchester, warned against assumptions based on one month in Bolton and Wigan.

The Bee Network comes to Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester in early 2024 and Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and South Manchester at the end of 2024.

"It is still very, very early days," Mr Boylan said.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.