Transport for Greater Manchester named top transport authority

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The organisation responsible for Greater Manchester’s public transport was rewarded  when it picked up one of the top prizes at the National Transport Awards.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) was named Integrated Transport Authority of the Year at last night’s London ceremony.

TfGM is the first organisation to have picked up the top award twice in three years.

The ITA of the Year Award is presented to transport authorities which have shown progress, improvement and innovation in public transport.

Transport for Greater Manchester was also highly commended for its approach to improving bus services.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chairman of the TfGM Committee, said: “We are honoured and delighted to have won this prestigious award, which recognises our commitment to making Greater Manchester’s transport network one of the best in the country, putting the needs of passengers and the local economy at the heart of everything we look to achieve.

“The past year has been very successful. We’ve opened two new Metrolink lines to Chorlton and Oldham and we’re three years into a programme of investment that will make Metrolink the largest light rail network in the country by 2016.

“We’ve also been working closely with bus operators to improve services and drive improvements that have direct benefit to bus passengers.

“Our focus on working with industry partners has helped to secure long term improvements to rail infrastructure and services for Greater Manchester.

“We’re also building four new transport interchanges in Rochdale, Bolton, Altrincham and Wythenshawe.

“We’ve developed a wide-ranging programme of improvements for cyclists such as cycle hubs and free cycle training and have entered into an agreement for traffic signal maintenance that will cut energy costs by 60%.

“Our plans for the coming year are equally ambitious, and to receive this kind of recognition for our efforts to improve the transport network for passengers and deliver solid economic benefits for Greater Manchester is extremely encouraging.”