Transport Secretary launches ‘bus revolution’ in Greater Manchester

Transport Secretary Louise Haighit is worth visiting Greater Manchester today (July 11, 2024) to begin what the government describes as “bus revolution”. It must commit to supporting each community to take control of buses through franchise or public ownership.

She is due to meet Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to discuss how the area’s bee network can be replicated across the country in a bid to provide better services, increase passenger numbers and to generate opportunities to underserved regions.

The Transport Secretary is set to commit to creating and saving vital bus routes up and down the country. The plans will also offer guarantees on local networks across the country.

Greater Manchester’s Bee network is reporting a 5% rise in passenger numbers on its buses, with revenue following suit.

The Transport Secretary will see first-hand how the Network can be replicated across the country. He also got to listen first-hand to the challenges facing Greater Manchester during his franchise journey.

The government plans to remove what it describes as barriers to making franchised bus networks, avoiding the six-year “spot” that Greater Manchester had to introduce the Bee Network.

“Buses are the lifeline of communities, but the system is broken” – Louise Haigh

Louise Haigh said: “Buses are the lifeblood of communities but the system is broken.

“Too often, passengers are left to wait hours for buses that don’t turn up – and some have stopped altogether.

“The change starts now. This new Government will give local leaders the tools they need to deliver better buses up and down the country.

“Our plan will create and save vital bus routes by empowering every community to take control of their bus services through franchise or public ownership.

“We’re already seeing what the Bee network is delivering for the people of Greater Manchester – we’ll make sure every community can enjoy the same benefits.”

“Greater Manchester has shown that our pioneering approach works” – Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchestersaid: “Properly integrated public transport is key to unlocking growth and opportunity in our city-region, improving the lives of our residents, supporting businesses and providing greater value for money.

“The numbers speak for themselves – our Bee Network has more passengers than ever and provides a better service for residents.

“Greater Manchester has shown that our pioneering approach works and we look forward to working with the government to put power back into the hands of local communities.”

The bus plan is part of the new government’s ambition to develop a long-term national transport strategy. This is expected to ensure that infrastructure can be delivered efficiently and on time, while allowing local people to take control of buses, trams and trains.

“The industry is fully behind the goals of growing the nation’s vital bus network and improving the passenger experience” – Graham Vidler, CEO for the Passenger Transport Confederation

Responding to the Transport Secretary’s visit to Manchester, Graham Vidler, CEO of the Passenger Transport Confederation said today: “The industry is fully behind the goals of growing the nation’s vital bus network and improving the passenger experience.

“Change will require stable and adequate long-term funding and a toolkit of options for local leaders and bus operators to choose from to find the approach that will best suit their local community. Immediate action must prevent a cliff-edge return to full commercial fares when the £2 fare cap ends in December – a scenario that would harm passengers and services.

“We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the Government to bring about changes that benefit passengers across the country, prioritize buses to reduce congestion and air pollution and drive faster progress towards the UK’s climate targets.”