You're being given a say in how bus services are run across Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is to become the first city-region in the UK to ask the public on how the buses here should be run.

At a meeting on Monday (7th October), the Greater Manchester Combined Authority gave the go-ahead for a major public consultation on the introduction of a bus franchising scheme.

It means that a wide range of people will be invited to have their say from Monday 14th October through to Wednesday 8th January 2020.

Bus franchising is currently in place in London and other major global cities, and means bus services – including routes, timetables, fares and standards – would be brought under local control.

Greater Manchester would coordinate the bus network and contract bus companies to run the services, with any profit being reinvested in the buses.

GMCA Vice Chair, Councillor Brenda Warrington said: “Buses play a crucial role in our society, helping people make millions of trips every year to work, shops and education, to see friends and family, enjoy the many cultural and leisure opportunities Greater Manchester has to offer, and to access essential healthcare.

“But we need better bus services. Buses are an important part of the ‘Our Network’ ambition to create a modern and accessible public transport system for Greater Manchester. One which brings together different modes of transport into a joined-up, easy-to-use system with seamless connections, simple ticketing and an aspiration for capped fares.

“We want to give people the real choice to leave their cars at home, reduce the number of vehicles on our roads and their harmful emissions, so we have cleaner, greener neighbourhoods.

“This consultation will give everyone the opportunity to have their say on how the bus services are run, and we’re interested in hearing from as many people and organisations as possible.”

Following the public consultation, GMCA will give its response in a published report.

• gmca
• Greater Manchester
• buses