All-night buses hailed 'a game changer' for Manchester

Sacha Lord said the buses were the "most exciting" development since his appointment as night-time economy advisor

A new all-night bus service operating seven days a week has been described as a "game-changer" for Manchester.

Launching overnight from Sunday, the year-long pilot scheme covers two of Greater Manchester's busiest bus routes between Leigh and Bolton and the city centre, via Salford.

Manchester's nightlife tsar Sacha Lord said a 24-hour bus service was the "most exciting" development for the night-time economy since he was appointed in 2018.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the service would provide a "lifeline" for shift workers - including healthcare, hospitality and distribution centre staff - among the 135,000 people served by the two routes.

The V1 and 36 services will now run at least every hour in each direction every day including most bank holidays - and use the same capped £2 single fare introduced in 2022.

The new all-night pilot is intended to provide affordable transport to 135,000 people living within five minutes of the two routes

The service is part of Manchester's Bee Network, which has taken about half of Greater Manchester's bus routes under public control since September 2023.

Mr Lord, who was appointed night-time economy advisier by Mr Burnham, said all-night buses were the "very first" recommendation he made.

"I said 'look, we've always called ourselves 24-hour party people, our transport stops before 12 o'clock, we need 24 hour transport'," he said.

Safety on the routes has also been a key focus for city officials.

Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said the bus routes being under public control was "critical" in introducing the night service

Vernon Everitt, transport commissioner for Greater Manchester, said a number of TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers, will be deployed to provide reassurance and visibility.

When asked about the affordability of the new pilot, Mr Everitt said bringing the services under public control had been "critical".

"If you look at it just through the profit and loss account of the public transport operators, then maybe you wouldn't do it", he said.

"But because we've got broader objectives about sustainability, about enabling people to move around at an affordable price, we're able to do this."