Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is leading the way in ambitious transit planning. As the first UK region in 40 years to fully franchise its bus network, TfGM brought services under local control to deliver the Bee Network—Greater Manchester’s vision for a unified, accessible, and affordable transport system.
With contactless “Tap and Go” payments rolling out across the network and a full electric bus fleet targeted by 2030, TfGM’s team is using Remix to power both long-term transformation and day-to-day efficiency.
Keep reading to learn more or check out the tool.
1. Drive major sustainability goals with data backed EV-planning.
After successfully franchising their bus network, TfGM turned their attention to clean air. While many cities—like London and other major European cities—have introduced clean air zones (where high-emission vehicles must pay to enter), Manchester committed to building a regional, eco-friendly bus system by 2030.
“One of the things Greater Manchester is working on is replacing our bus fleet,” explains Alban Green, Bus Network Review Planning Officer. “We’re in the process of electrifying depots and transitioning the entire fleet to electric buses.”
To do so effectively, TfGM used Remix Blocking to model route-level needs and costs—factoring in charging and range limits.
TfGM is able to block their electric buses, allot for charging time, and see warnings when they exceed their range. With Remix, they get an instant view of how many buses they'll need to replace a route with EVs.
“Using Remix Blocking, you input range and hours, and it will show you where you’ll hit limits of what you can do with your electric buses.” Green explains.
“Remix allows you to input charging and range requirements into the vehicle spec, and from there automatically provides a Peak Vehicle Requirement based on your timetable. If you need to block manually, it will highlight where you are exceeding your charge range.” Green continued.
This helped the team validate the plan and communicate with the local government and stakeholders.
2. Simplify routine changes by bringing your full workflow into Remix.
From major changes to everyday disruptions, TfGM uses Remix to keep operations running smoothly.
“There’s a bridge on a critical local route that’s closing for a year,” shares Steve Donhue, Bus Service Route Planning Manager. “We were able to quickly design revised routings, export the maps, and send them to the publicity department. Even the pamphlets and bus signs around town were all made in Remix.”
Green adds:
“We introduced a new route last year as the test case for timetabling in Remix... We just retimed it in April and it has needed minimal tweaking—the timetable function was spot on.”
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TfGM uses Remix Runtime Engine to predict runtimes for a new route. After testing the prediction, the team found it was accurate.
Automating repeatable tasks gives the team more time for high-impact planning.
3. Expand service—without expanding cost.
With more bandwidth for strategy, TfGM launched Network Reviews—regular analysis of the entire bus network to improve access while staying cost-neutral.
“We used Remix to explore potential route changes, checking how many buses we’d need and whether we could do it in the same number of buses,” he explains. “We’re targeting 90% of Greater Manchester’s population to be within 400 meters of a half-hourly bus service. Remix helped us look at routes within the buffer of a town and identify gaps and small tweaks to existing routes that could close those gaps—without adding cost. The quality of work we’ve been able to do is astounding.”
With Blocking and Timetabling, the team proved they could improve coverage without adding vehicles–saving significant operational costs.
Using Remix, TfGM went from running 6 routes which included two school buses (left image) to 3 routes (right image)—without reducing accessibility. They increased frequency for most routes, integrated the school buses with other routes, and needed fewer vehicles to deliver the same level of service.
“It’s challenging but made possible with Remix. It’s shown us that you can streamline your bus network and still provide the coverage that you need.”
4. Use data to guide decisions—and build trust.
TfGM relies on Remix to support decisions with data—internally and in conversations with the public.
“What Remix offers is powerful,” Donhue says. “You can pull census data like deprivation levels, add buffer zones, and make sure we’re promoting equal opportunity. No other comparable software does anything like that.”
Alban Green explains how communicating with data then helps shift the conversation with local officials:
“When we present a change... we can say we’ve made a change to your local network but your accessibility is not affected,” Green explains. “That’s critical when talking to council members.”
TfGM team also uses Network Jane, Remix’s travel-time isochrone tool, to measure how access to key destinations changes with each update.
“We can see how many people can get to a hospital within 45 minutes. That’s incredibly useful—it’s very hard to get this data in other tools along with the demographics of the people it impacts as well.” Donahue explains.
Lastly, data simplifies collaboration with operators.
“I can share a blocking schedule directly in Remix, no spreadsheets needed,” Green says.
“It also helps us validate if what operators say things are going to cost them is in fact true,” Donhue notes.
Having access and cost data at your fingertips makes it easier to hit your goals—and explain the impact in a way that resonates with every stakeholder.
5. Advice for other agencies? Dive in.
“Get to know it as much as you can,” says Green. “We use it for just about everything—adding stops, building timetables, drafting schedules, estimating hours. Remix has been invaluable.
“With other software, you need a three-day training course,” adds Steve Donhue. “This is much more intuitive.”
Using Remix end-to-end helps TfGM expand access, improve efficiency, and stay aligned with long-term goals while gaining efficiencies, expanding access, and saving costs.
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