Overhaul of Greater Manchester's public transport to start next year
Bus fares will be capped at £2 for adults and £1 for children as part of a one billion pound program of investment
Greater Manchester's public transport system will start to be overhauled next year as part of a five year plan to give the region a 'London style transport system'.
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham announced earlier that the plans would include price caps on bus fares.
Adult tickets will cost no more than £2 with children's tickets costing £1 per journey.
The plans also include a revised timetable for bus networks across the region to allow the introduction of a franchising system.
Regulated buses will start to be introduced in Bolton and Wigan as well as parts of Salford and West Manchester from next autumn.
Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and areas of North Manchester will follow in Spring 2024
The final stage of franchising, covering Stockport, Trafford, Tameside, South Manchester and the remaining parts of Salford will be up and running by the end of 2024.
Judge backs Burnham move to bring bus services under public control
It comes after a legal challenge brought by bus operators against the city region’s bus franchising plans was dismissed by a judge last week.
That has given the green light for Andy Burnham to press on with plans to create the 'Bee Network' where trains, trams and bus services all work together.
Invitations for companies to negotiate bus routes as decided by Greater Manchester Combined Authority will be issued shortly to prospective providers of bus services in Bolton and Wigan, as well as in parts of Salford and west Manchester.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“Government has signalled its intention to support our ambitions many times over and we now need them to work in partnership with us, to help us turn our shared vision into a reality.”
"Transformed bus services is a key pillar of the Bee Network vision, which aims to provide real public transport and active travel choices for all; promote sustainable travel behavioural change through integrated city-region planning; support the electrification of vehicles and public transport fleets; promotes levelling up through the provision of sustainable transport connectivity to key growth locations and the provision of affordable public transport options for all our communities."
New Transport Commissioner
Greater Manchester has also hired a new Transport Commissioner, with former Transport for London (TfL) Managing Director of Customers, Communication and Technology, Vernon Everitt, set to take a leading role in the delivery of the Bee Network.
Vernon Everitt, the Mayor’s new Transport Commissioner, said: “It is a privilege to be given the responsibility to help write the next chapter of Greater Manchester’s ambitious and truly transformational transport story.
The Bee Network vision sets out a compelling plan for better transport and I will bring all my experience to the table to ensure we deliver it.
“Our integrated transport network will unlock access to opportunity and public services, and drive reduced carbon emissions and improved wellbeing, benefitting everyone who lives, works or visits here. I look forward to working with the mayor, councils, transport operators and people across Greater Manchester to deliver a world-class public transport system.”