Andy Burnham calls for ‘fair and equal treatment’ of city-region’s transport funding

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called for ‘fair and equal treatment’ for all parts of the country, following the Department for Transport’s (DfT) £18 million settlement for the city-region, announced on Friday 9th June.

The city-region was awarded the funding to ensure continued smooth running of public transport in Greater Manchester as bus and tram passenger numbers continue to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The funding settlement will run until the end of March 2024, and requires TfGM to set out a pathway to financial sustainability as the city-region takes greater control over its transport budget.

Mayor Burnham has however criticised the deal for Greater Manchester, highlighting in a statement that it is less in percentage terms than has been offered to the capital, and only covers approximately 50% of TfGM’s current shortfall. He has also called on the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper, to allow for greater flexibility in the funding.

Andy Burnham said in a statement on the GMCA website:

“Any extra support for our public transport system as it recovers from the pandemic is of course welcome and we appreciate the Secretary of State’s efforts in securing this.

“This said, the total funding offered, which includes the extra £18m, represents less than half of the shortfall we face and is far less generous in percentage terms than the settlement offered to London.

“If the Government is to deliver on its commitment of London-style public transport outside of London, it has to put funding behind it and ensure all parts of the country receive fair and equal treatment.

“We will continue to press ahead with our plans to introduce the Bee Network in September but have asked the Secretary of State for more funding flexibility to deal with the challenges we face.”