Get on board with your views on how local buses are run

A consultation on introducing a bus franchising scheme to Greater Manchester closes this week – and residents are being urged to share their views on the proposals.

Currently in Greater Manchester, individual bus operators decide their own routes, timetables, tickets and standards. In areas they don’t run, the public sector pays to fill in the gaps in the market where it can.

However, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has proposed a franchising scheme for the whole of the city region to improve the service.

Introducing bus franchising would mean that bus services would be controlled by the GMCA and it would decide which services would be provided – in the same way as buses are run in London and some other major cities around the world.

The GMCA  would set the routes, timetables, tickets and standards, while the bus operators would run the services. 

Bus services were deregulated in England, outside of London, after the Transport Act 1985 came into force, transferring the services from public bodies to private companies.

Rochdale Borough Council’s transport spokesperson, Councillor Phil Burke is urging people to share their views before the consultation closes.

He said: “As Rochdale Borough Council’s transport spokesperson, I know how much buses are vital to many residents across the borough of Rochdale as they connect people to workplaces, shops, family and friends and essential services, like GPs and schools.

“Three out of every four public transport journeys across the region are made by bus. That is something to cherish. But for too long, bus use in some communities is in decline. Here in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and Pennines communities, our local residents have suffered years of fare increases, service cuts and route removals.

“Under the current system, individual bus companies decide the majority of routes, timetables, fares and standards on the majority of buses that run across our borough.”

Councillor Burke continued: “But all that is set to change. Under visionary new proposals, Greater Manchester Combined Authority is now proposing a bus franchising scheme that would bring buses under local control, accountable to local residents rather than company shareholders.

“This means democratically elected people would run services and set the routes, frequencies, fares and standards across all bus services. It would make decisions around local bus services, fares and routes more accountable to the community. The radical vision for bus services would bring them together with the rest of the transport network, with simplified and integrated fares and an improved travelling experience for passengers across all services. A truly integrated, accountable and well-connected transport network fit for the 21st century.”

Councillor Burke added: “Whether you use the bus or not, it is important that local people have their say on this journey of change. If these proposals are implemented, they would mark the most significant change to the bus system in Greater Manchester since it was deregulated in 1986.

“By 2040, we need 50% of all journeys in Greater Manchester to be made by foot, bike or public transport to support our ambitions to move to a greener, more sustainable transport network. These welcome plans are set to begin a radical journey of change. So, please get on board and give us your views.”

Gary Nolan, chief executive of OneBus, which represents the majority of bus operators in Greater Manchester, said: “We agree that the public deserve an improved bus system – one that serves them efficiently and sustainably. But franchising is not the answer: the council’s proposals include ticket price rises above inflation and forecast tumbling bus use over the next twenty years. Operators’ proposals can deliver the improvements that passengers and politicians want to see, but without council tax rises or levels of debt similar to the £700m deficit burdening London’s network. 

“We will enable simpler ticketing no matter which operators or routes passengers take, while accelerating the roll-out of green buses to tackle the air quality crisis on Greater Manchester’s heavily-congested roads.

“Solving these issues together with the council will deliver a better service that provides value-for-money to residents and passengers across the region.”

People have until Wednesday 8 January 2020 to get involved, with all the information available online or documents are available at libraries and council buildings across the borough.

• www.gmconsult.org

You can fill in the questionnaire online or by post or can send comments by email to: 

• gmbusconsultation@ipsos-mori.com