Bus franchising to be rolled out in Stockport in 2024 under new timeline

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced a new timeline for bringing bus services in the city-region under increased local authority control, with franchising now set to reach Stockport by the end of 2024.

The new timeline will see plans for a London-style public transport system accelerated in their delivery, marking significant progress towards the city-region’s Bee Network vision of integrated walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure.

Stockport will now, along with the boroughs of Tameside, Trafford and parts of Salford and Manchester, see franchised bus services rolled-out by the end of 2024, rather than in 2025 as was originally planned.

The announcement follows the unsuccessful legal challenge by bus operators Stagecoach and Rotala over Greater Manchester’s decision-making process. Andy Burnham is expected to formally set out the new timeline at an event in Manchester city centre today in front of key business, political and civic leaders from the city-region.

Invitations to bus companies to bid to operate services are expected to issued shortly for the bus network in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Salford and West Manchester. Companies have been able to register their interest to run services already, and plans have attracted local SMEs as well as national and international operators.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“The court ruling means we now have the green light to deliver on our plans to deliver a London-style public transport system.

“We will make travelling by public transport more appealing, easier and, significantly, put our people before profits.

“Government has signalled its intention to support our ambitions many times over and we now need them to work in partnership with us, to help us turn our shared vision into a reality.”

Greater Manchester’s new Transport Commissioner, former Transport for London MD of Customers, Communication and Technology, Vernon Everitt, added:

 “It is a privilege to be given the responsibility to help write the next chapter of Greater Manchester’s ambitious and truly transformational transport story. The Bee Network vision sets out a compelling plan for better transport and I will bring all my experience to the table to ensure we deliver it.

“Our integrated transport network will unlock access to opportunity and public services, and drive reduced carbon emissions and improved wellbeing, benefitting everyone who lives, works or visits here. I look forward to working with the mayor, councils, transport operators and people across Greater Manchester to deliver a world class public transport system.”

In order to deliver on plans, Greater Manchester is now calling on government to support its investment in public transport to the tune of £438 million that will fund:

• new electric buses and infrastructure, supporting a move to a cleaner, greener city-region;
• improved bus services, with new quality bus lanes, corridors, and junctions to improve connectivity between our towns and cities; and
• better bus passenger information, fares and ticketing

Andy Burnham added: 

“In Greater Manchester we are leading the way and developing a blueprint for other city-regions to follow when it comes to improving intra-city transport and connectivity between our villages, towns and cities. My ambition is that soon here in Greater Manchester it will be simpler, cheaper and more reliable to get around on public transport.”