I tried the new way to buy Oldham bus tickets and it went wrong

Buses in parts of  the region have come under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years, as of Sunday, September 24.

While Oldham’s buses don’t come under public control until March, one benefit Oldhamers can take advantage of now is the new Bee Network app.

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The app allows passengers to buy tickets and view live bus, tram and train times in one convenient location on their phone.

Buying a ticket

When I gave it a go, not everything went to plan. The process of buying the ticket was painless. I had to make an account and enter my card details, but I won’t have to do that again.

Buying tickets in advance can speed up boarding and, therefore, the journeys of all the other passengers.

I bought a "1-day Bee AnyBus" ticket for £5 in the app. The app informs me that this bus is valid for "any bus in Greater Manchester". A map of the valid zones states that you can "take any bus with any operator".

As I got on the 84 towards Oldham, I scanned my ticket like I would have done if I had bought a ticket through First’s app.

The ticket appears in the app with a QR code (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

Teething trouble

However, a sharp buzzing sound and an error message informed me of an "invalid barcode". I tried two more times, but the same result.

After showing my ticket to the driver, hoping he would wave me on, he informed me that the Bee Network had not launched yet in the area, and that my ticket was only valid in Bolton – completely contrary to what the app had said.

Despite my pleas, I was told I had to buy a new ticket, despite the app saying my original ticket was valid on any bus in Greater Manchester.

I got in touch with First to clarify the situation soon after.

The app sells bus day tickets (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

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Ticket ‘should be accepted’

The company informed me that I was correct – the ticket should have been accepted – but that the software on the buses has not yet been upgraded to scan the new Bee Network app QR codes successfully.

A member of First’s customer support told me the company was informing drivers of the problem as we spoke on Sunday, and to simply present the ticket to the driver rather than scanning it.

I asked if I would be able to use my original app ticket on my return journey, and I was told it should work. Sure enough, on my return, I showed my original app ticket to the driver (avoiding putting it under the scanner), and, after a hesitant look at my phone screen, he appeared to have a moment of realisation and nodded me on.

To be fair to First, this is a new system – the Bee Network only launched hours before I tried to use the new app.

Not everything is going to go perfectly, and First has offered me a refund on the paper ticket I bought as a result of their error. Hopefully, everything should be a lot smoother as the system has a chance to bed in over the coming days and weeks.

For now, Oldhamers should be confident that the tickets they buy are valid on services in the borough.

On Sunday, a Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson said: “The move to a franchised system is the biggest change to public transport in Greater Manchester for almost 40 years.

“Today’s launch has seen new buses take to the roads, new staff out across the network and new products available on the Bee Network app.

“As part of major efforts to move to the new franchised system, we have been working hard with bus operators to ensure they are aware of the new app products and able to accept them on their services.

“We are not aware of any wider problems with ticket acceptance, but have followed up with the operator. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and note that the operator has recognised the ticket was valid and has agreed a refund.”

The app shows where the ticket is valid (Image: Jack Fifield, Newsquest)

The Bee Network

As part of the new Bee Network, bus routes, timetables and more are controlled by Transport for Greater Manchester from now on in Bolton and Wigan, as well as parts of Salford and Bury.

Oldham’s buses will come under the system from March 2024, along with Rochdale, north Manchester, and the remaining parts of Bury and Salford. The change will see First Bus effectively exiled from the borough, with Stagecoach and Diamond set to run all local services under a franchise from Transport for Greater Manchester.

An additional 50 yellow electric buses, on top of those already in service, have been ordered ready for Oldham, Rochdale, and the remainder of Bury to become part of the system.

The remaining parts of the city region are set to join from January 2025.

After Greater Manchester buses in every borough have been brought under the system, passengers will be able to tap-in and tap-out across all buses and trams without having to decide on a ticket in advance, with fares capped at the "Bee AnyBus + Tram" price, similar to the system which has already been in place in London’s transport system for years, as well as many other major cities across the globe.

The system may even go cashless in the future, with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham previously saying there was "an argument both ways" and that a decision had not been taken, before adding that most felt it would be safer and speed up journeys to go cashless.

First Bus has been contacted for comment.