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Greater Manchester's transport chiefs have set out how they plan to knit together the region's buses, trams and trains into a single system called the Bee Network, with the aim of giving residents one ticket, one app and one timetable for every local journey. The pledge matters because 5.6 million trips are made each day on the city-region's roads and rails, and most passengers still juggle separate operators, fares and information.

By 2028, eight commuter rail lines will be folded into the Bee Network, followed by more routes two years later. Buses are already being transferred to public control, making Greater Manchester the first place outside London to bring back its buses. The authority owns every bus station, shelter and stop, and is building new interchanges to stitch the network together.

A 400-mile Key Route Network of the busiest A-roads will be kept clear so buses and trams can stay on time. Smart tickets and lower fares for children, older and disabled passengers are being introduced to keep travel affordable while the network is upgraded.

The overhaul is funded through a mix of council tax, government grants and competitive bids for extra cash. Meetings of the Bee Network Committee, chaired by Mayor Andy Burnham, are open to the public and the minutes are published online.

The target is simple but ambitious: by 2040, every journey in Greater Manchester should be joined-up, easy to use and cheap enough that no-one is priced off a bus, tram or train.