Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced plans to integrate rail services into the Bee Network - including three lines passing through Stockport. 

The Bee Network is described as "Greater Manchester's vision for a joined up, touch in, touch out, London-style transport system".

The proposals would mean that trains - like buses and trams - would feature capped fares as well as the aforementioned touch in / touch out system. 

Mr Burnham announced the plans at the Northern Transport Summit at Manchester Airport yesterday. 

The proposals as they stand would see eight lines integrated into the Bee Network. Of those eight, three pass through Stockport: Buxton to Piccadilly; Rose Hill to Piccadilly; and Alderley Edge to Piccadilly. 

Mr Burnham spoke at the Northern Transport Summit alongside other northern mayors (Image - Alasdair Perry)

In a speech at the summit, Mr Burnham said: "We need to see the same pace of change now on integrating rail into the Bee Network as we've had with buses and trams. [...]

"There's no reason why we can't integrate fare systems into the Bee Network. It's not about infrastructure, it's about getting rail into the system."

The mayor emphasised the need for co-operation with the rail industry. "Work with us", he said. 

"Let's move beyond the arguments; let's move into a new phase with the rail industry where all of us are bringing through the improvements that we need to see. 

"But it does require very different ways of working."

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