TAMESIDE passengers will soon be able to travel home later after a new night bus service was confirmed as part of major improvements to the Bee Network.
The new 216 night bus will launch on Thursday, September 3, connecting Ashton-under-Lyne, and Droylsden to the Etihad Campus and Manchester city centre throughout the night.
Running on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the service is aimed at supporting people working in the night-time economy, as well as those travelling home after sporting and cultural events or a night out.
Transport for Greater Manchester has also said that TravelSafe officers will monitor and support the service, to help passengers travel later with confidence.
The introduction of the 216 night bus means Tameside will join Oldham, Stockport and Trafford in gaining additional overnight bus provision, ensuring every part of Greater Manchester has a night bus operating from Thursday through to Sunday.
It forms part of a sweeping package of improvements across the Bee Network, with 36 service changes expected to benefit around 740,000 people living near the enhanced routes.
For Tameside, the changes will also include more frequent journeys on the 219 service, providing improved connections between the borough and Manchester city centre from August 30.
Meanwhile, a new 388 service will launch on the same day, running hourly between Hyde, Stalybridge and Ashton-under-Lyne.
The new route will operate every day and complement the existing 389 service, improving links between communities across the borough.
The changes are part of what is being described as the most significant upgrade to the Bee Network since the completion of bus franchising last year, with almost two-thirds of the improvements announced earlier this year coming into effect between August 30 and September 6.
Further changes are planned between January and March 2027.
Transport leaders say the improvements have been shaped by feedback from local residents and passengers, and build on more than 80 changes already made to bus services through the franchised Bee Network.
With more buses, new direct routes and the prospect of travelling through the night, the latest changes could make getting around Tameside and heading into Manchester after dark easier than ever.