Top transport bosses meet MPs

Councillor Matt Colledge, Chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, showing the new Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon a model of Greater Manchester's new look trams.

Some of the North West’s most influential transport bosses travelled to London yesterday (Tuesday 15 October) to meet MPs at the House of Commons.

Councillor Matt Colledge, Chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA), Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup, and Anton Valk, Chief Executive of NedRailways, put forward their plans for the future.

They were speaking at a special event organised by GMPTA with the theme ‘Revolutionising public transport’. MPs, Lords and transport experts were among those invited to attend, and they got the chance to see the look of the new Metrolink trams.

40 trams will begin to be added to the Metrolink network next year to run on the existing system as well as on the extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, Chorlton and MediaCityUK in Salford Quays. Transport bosses took a 1.6-metre-long model tram to London to show off the new yellow and silver design.

Councillor Colledge said: “Meetings like this are extremely important as, without national support, we can’t achieve our ambitions for public transport in Greater Manchester.

“For example, next year construction work will start on building three new Metrolink lines but that simply wouldn’t be happening if the government hadn’t been prepared to put nearly £250 million towards the total cost of the scheme.”

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Vice Chairman of GMPTA, added: “The parliamentary debate about the new Local Transport Bill is now reaching its final stages so it’s a good time to be discussing the legislation with MPs.

“The Bill will have a big impact on how bus services are provided in Greater Manchester. Tuesday’s meeting was a good opportunity to make sure passengers will benefit from it the most.”

Sir Moir Lockhead said: “There is a revolution in public transport in this country going on now as people look for cost-effective and environmentally-friendly ways to travel.

“FirstGroup has seen unprecedented passenger growth on buses and trains in recent years. We are supporting this by investing in new buses for Greater Manchester and by making the case for new capacity on TransPennine Express trains.”