Metroline Manchester

bodied Volvo B9TL acquired from Stagecoach Manchester at Piccadilly Gardens bus station in April 2025 ComfortDelGro, through its London based Metroline subsidiary, took an early interest in Transport for Greater Manchester's franchised Bee Network bus services, recruiting former Arriva Yorkshire regional manager Patrick Sibley in September 2022 to help in its bidding for Tranches 2 and 3 of franchises. With no pre-existing presence in Greater Manchester, the operator aimed to secure large franchise contracts from TfGM so it would inherit depot facilities from existing operators; winning smaller contracts would have resulted in Metroline having to establish new depot facilities within the region. Initially, Metroline was unsuccessful in bidding for Tranches 1 and 2 of Bee Network contracts, which went to existing operators in the area. In March 2024, however, it was announced that Metroline had won four of five Tranche 3 contracts, taking on bus services in the south side of the City of Manchester operated from Ashton, Hyde Road, Sharston and Wythenshawe depots for a five year period, with options to extend the contract for a further two years. Metroline Manchester commenced operations on Bee Network services on 5 January 2025, with Patrick Sibley taking on the position of Managing Director for the new operator. ==Depots==

Metroline Manchester operates buses from four depots across Greater Manchester, with a total of 1,350 driving staff required. A majority of staff from existing operators were able to transfer employment to Metroline Manchester through a TUPE transfer. It is the first bus depot in Greater Manchester to receive a fully electric fleet. Hyde Road bus depot in February 2025 Hyde Road bus depot is the head office and largest depot of Metroline Manchester following the commencement of operations, having been taken over from Stagecoach Manchester. Wythenshawe Wythenshawe depot was taken over from Arriva North West, with no vehicles coming with this transfer. Located on the Southmoor Industrial Estate, it is planned for Metroline to operate this depot using solely single decker diesel-powered vehicles. Prior to the commencement of franchised services, Metroline used this depot to operate a fleet of Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TLs on driver training duties. ==Fleet==

at Parrs Wood bus station in December 2025 battery-electric bus in Stockport Town Centre in December 2025 As of June 2025, Metroline Manchester operates a fleet of 477 buses. The company's operating licence was provisionally approved to allow a fleet of over 500 buses to be potentially operated by the company. 135 Wright StreetDeck Ultroliners, 24 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs and 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMCs. Up to 125 buses, including 32 BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs based at Sharston and 52 Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TLs based at Queens Road, were also inherited from Stagecoach Manchester via the TfGM fleet Residual Value Mechanism. Metroline Manchester also inherited a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro400Hs from Stagecoach Manchester and Stagecoach Yorkshire, including most of the existing Magic Bus fleet, while a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC bodied Volvo B5LHs were also purchased secondhand from Stagecoach East Scotland. ==References==