Greater Manchester set to begin next stage of bus network reform

Following work to understand the impact of Covid-19 on the transport system, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is set to launch a public consultation ahead of the proposed franchising scheme.

An earlier consultation on reform of how bus services are run in the city-region was held between October 2019 and January 2020 and showed strong public support, but a final decision on the scheme originally planned for Spring 2020 was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) was asked to produce a Covid-19 Impact Report on how coronavirus had affected the bus reform process.

Bus usage fell 50% during the height of the pandemic, with schools, universities, non-essential shops and many workplaces closed. However, passenger numbers on the bus network have rebounded more quickly than other modes of public transport, highlighting its importance to Greater Manchester residents, in particular the 30% who do not have access to a car.

The TfGM Report found that the proposed franchising scheme would still be affordable and still represent value for money. A consultation has now been proposed on the conclusions of the Covid-19 Impact Report and whether the bus network reforms should change. If approved in a GMCA vote on Friday 27th November, it takes place between Wednesday 2 December 2020 and Friday 29 January 2021.

Deputy Mayor Sir Richard Leese said:

Throughout this pandemic, buses have proven themselves to be a critical lifeline for people who have needed to get to work, to help other people or to access essential services.

“But before Covid-19, bus usage was already falling in Greater Manchester, and the pandemic has caused passenger levels to drop even further.

“If bus usage remains low and nothing is done to reform the market, services may be further reduced, which may mean the public sector will have to provide more funding to keep essential services running, especially for Greater Manchester’s poorest and most vulnerable who depend on them – but we currently have no control and limited oversight over any changes to services.

“That is why, now more than ever, we need our buses to work for the people of Greater Manchester.

“The evidence suggests that the proposed franchising scheme is still the best way to achieve this and to deliver a joined-up public transport network with simple fares and ticketing and the improved customer experience that Greater Manchester’s passengers deserve. And it needs to proceed now so it can be an important part of our recovery from the pandemic.”

“We want to ensure everyone in the city-region and beyond has a chance to have their say on how Covid-19 has affected our proposals, so next week GMCA will decide whether to proceed with a further consultation.”

Currently in Greater Manchester the bus companies decide the routes, frequencies, fares and standards. Where bus companies decide not to run services, where necessary the public sector pays to fill in the gaps. Under franchising, bus services would be brought under local control. GMCA would coordinate the bus network based on the services passengers need and would also coordinate investment in the bus market. The bus operators would be contracted by GMCA to run the services.  

If bus usage remains low, with no reform services may be further reduced, with the public sector providing more funding to keep essential services running, especially those who depend on the bus network, with GMCA paying more proportionally towards the bus network while still having no control and limited oversight.

Fewer bus services could also lead to more people driving, increasing congestion and pollution and hampering economic growth.

Over 8,500 individuals and organisations from across Greater Manchester and beyond responded to the previous consultation, with eight-out-of-ten respondents, who answered the relevant question, supporting the proposed franchising scheme.