Steve Appleby is Head of Bus Engineering at Transport for Greater Manchester, where he leads engineering activity across the bus network and supports the continued development of a safe, reliable and future-ready fleet for Greater Manchester.

Steve first joined TfGM on a short-term contract as part of the Bus Franchising Delivery Team, supporting the successful delivery of Tranche 1 on 24 September 2023. He later became the EV Bus Specialist Lead, playing a key role in delivering Tranche 2 on 24 March 2024 and Tranche 3 on 5 January 2025, while also supporting business-as-usual delivery across the network.

In this role, Steve supported the business through the electrification of depots, analysis of EV performance, operational charging requirements and route suitability, helping to enable the introduction and operation of electric vehicles across the franchised bus network.

In January 2026, Steve was appointed Head of Bus Engineering at TfGM, expanding his responsibilities beyond EV development to include all areas of engineering within the Bus Team. His role involves close collaboration with teams across TfGM, including Strategy, Metrolink, Zero Carbon and Accessibility, as well as engagement with other UK authorities progressing towards franchising. Steve has also worked closely with Transport for London and contributed to sector discussions on bus safety, including speaking at the recent On-Bus Safety 2 launch.

TfGM sets its own specification for current and future fleet requirements, incorporating design and accessibility features that are unique to Greater Manchester. Many of the safety features within the TfGM specification also align with those included in the Transport for London bus specification.

A key part of Steve’s role has been building the Engineering Team so it can effectively support TfGM and franchise operators in maintaining a viable, compliant and optimised bus fleet and associated infrastructure for the people of Greater Manchester.