GMITA win top award

Grant Stott; Councillor Keith Whitmore, GMITA Vice Chairman; David Leather, GMPTE Chief Executive; Councillor Ian Macdonald, GMITA Chairman, and Peter Yendall, Head of Government Services, AECOM, who presented the award

The people responsible for public transport across Greater Manchester were rewarded last week when Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) picked up one of the top awards at the National Transport Awards 2010.

The Joe Clarke Integrated Transport Authority of the Year Award was presented to GMITA at an awards ceremony at The Palace Hotel in Manchester.

The award is aimed at recognising Integrated Transport Authorities which have demonstrated progress and improvement across a range of passenger transport policy areas.

GMITA Chairman, Councillor Ian Macdonald, said: “We are honoured to have received this very prestigious award, which demonstrates our commitment to making Greater Manchester’s public transport network one of the best in the UK.

“2009 in particular was an exceptional year for the city region with GMITA and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) agreeing to create the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, which will transform our public transport network for the benefit of residents, visitors and businesses alike.”

Councillor Keith Whitmore, GMITA Vice Chairman, added: “We have worked hard in recent years to improve Greater Manchester’s bus, rail and Metrolink networks and, while there is still much more to be done, we are delighted that our achievements have been recognised.”

David Leather, GMPTE Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that we have received this award which recognises the commitment and achievements of all our staff.”