New number 30 bus showcased at historic hall

(Photograph left to right - Councillor Jonathan Moore, Councillor Brendan Keville, City Mayor Paul Dennett, Councillor Ben Grogan and Councillor Tanya Burch). 

The new number 30 made its first journey at the start of 2026, marking a major milestone in improving connections for one of Salford’s fastest‑growing communities.

The new service was launched a year on from Greater Manchester becoming the first area outside of London to bring buses under local control after 40 years of deregulation. The move put control of the city region’s buses back in the hands of local decision-makers and communities as part of the Bee Network.
Ordsall has seen around 1,000 new apartments built along the Ordsall Lane Corridor and many more new homes are planned in the area.

To support this growth – which mirrors a wider trend across Salford as the area with the biggest population increase in the North West – Salford City Council secured around £2m from local developers to help fund this new bus for residents. It plays a vital role in connecting people with jobs, education, leisure and a wide range of other opportunities, while offering a sustainable option that helps ease local congestion and broadens travel options for the area.It travels from the Trafford Centre to Salford Quays and MediaCityUK, along Ordsall Lane before finishing in Manchester City Centre. It runs seven days a week.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The showcasing of this all-electric number 30 service outside the historic Ordsall Hall demonstrates how our past and future sit side by side.

“Ordsall has changed rapidly and it was important we got this new route running as quickly as possible to make it easier for people to travel sustainably. It strengthens vital links for Ordsall and this all fits with our vision to a carbon neutral city by 2038.”

Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council said: “Being in control of our Section 106 money,  which is financial contributions from development to mitigate the impact on local people, means that we have been able to bring this bus service to life.

“It represents the approach we take as a city council using resources to make life better for local residents, in this case to providing a modern, community-focused transport network people will benefit from.”

Fran Wilkinson, Head of Customer and Growth at TfGM said: “This new service is a prime example of how having local control of buses enables us to better connect local residents to jobs, education and other opportunities across a growing and thriving Greater Manchester, so that everyone can live a good life.

“We’re seeing more and more people get on board with the Bee Network and we are determined to deliver continuous improvements across Greater Manchester to grow the network further.”