Since 2019, Synvert TCM has proudly partnered with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to support the data ambitions of the UK’s most extensive light rail network. 

In 2022, TfGM broke new ground with the first major public sector bus franchising operation since 1985. Under the leadership of Mayor Andy Burnham, bus franchising is being introduced gradually from 2023 to 2025, enabling 15 million journeys each month across 14,000 bus stops. 

• Initially, the data warehouse managed tram network sales, journeys, and contactless taps. 
• We then supported the Bus Franchising project in expanding this data warehouse to support multiple types of transport, entering a multi-modal phase. 
• Next, we added data pipelines to incorporate bus-specific data, such as bus stop locations, journey details, and service numbers. 
• The Bus Franchising initiative was rolled out in three stages, each covering various parts of the city region under the Bee Network phase. 
• Additional phases included mobile app data, contactless pay-as-you-go for bus journeys, multi-modal PAYG, inspection, and enforcement actions. 

Throughout the project, best practices were proven in areas like PII, data governance, data quality, and security in collaboration with TfGM project teams and DPIA. This process future-proofed the system for the addition of train and other transport data. Every bus or tram journey, ticket sale, and contactless tap in Greater Manchester is tracked. 

The city’s expanding transport network needs a flexible, well-governed analytics capability with data integrated daily for up-to-date 9 a.m. reports. There were also no unplanned P1 and P2 platform issues since the launch.

“synvert TCM and ourselves have had an excellent partnership throughout the delivery of the Bee Network Data and Analytics project. synvert TCM understand our business objectives and have been able to bring their expertise to meet these objectives in a constructive and ultimately successful manner.  

Our primary concern as we mobilised the Bee Network data and analytics project was the high-profile, fixed and immovable deadline. Coupled with 3rdparty dependencies that were similarly time constrained the delivery of our objectives would always be a challenge. Our concern was that we wouldn’t be able to meet essential insights and reporting as the Bee Network launched. 

Working with synvert TCM we were able to plan effectively upfront and design target data solutions in advance of integrations. This was invaluable in providing early deliverables that de-risked later stages of the project. We were able to future-proof the design successfully and jointly prioritised our delivery from the outset. synvert TCM have also been acutely aware of the importance of our project for our organisation, our high-profile stakeholders and the wider benefits of the Bee Network and showed outstanding commitment to the project. 

The Analytics solution allows us to efficiently gain insights into key business measures for the Bee Network. As an organisation, we underwent an overnight transformation in our accountabilities and were able to provide new and essential insights into revenues, customers and new performance metrics as we matured with the business change.   

Our relationship with synvert TCM has, from the outset, been a partnership. Not only are they experts in delivering powerful Data and Analytics, but they are also experts in delivering powerful Data and Analytics solutions they understand our business needs and show amazing dedication to providing value for our business.“