[1] The design of the network is inspired around the Greater Manchester symbol, the worker bee, with bus and tram liveries coloured yellow and black to represent this.

[6] In June 2022, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced capped fares for buses from September 2022 in order to help with cost-of-living rises.

[10] One of the major policies of the Bee Network is making it easy, safe and attractive for people to travel on foot or by bike for everyday trips.

[13] Between 1986 and 2025 the bus network in Greater Manchester was deregulated, with local control of services having been removed as a consequence of the Transport Act 1985.

The GMCA was the first combined authority to use the powers under the Act,[14] and re-regulated its system in three tranches, starting on 24 September 2023 and completing on 5 January 2025.

[8][15] The franchised area expanded to Oldham, Rochdale, the rest of Bury, further parts of Salford and north Manchester on 24 March 2024.

[18] The first batch of 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV battery electric buses were rolled out across Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury and Salford on 24 September 2023.

[22] Commuter rail was expected to fully join the Bee Network by 2030 at the latest, creating a service similar to the London Overground, but in March 2024, the Mayor of Greater Manchester announced that the date for commuter rail to join the Bee Network is intended to be brought forward from 2030 to 2028.