More than 2,500 responses have already been received at the halfway point in a major consultation on how Greater Manchester’s buses should be run.
While thousands of responses have been received, there is still time for people from across Greater Manchester and beyond to have their say on how the bus network is operated. The consultation runs until midnight Wednesday 8 January 2020.
People can submit responses by email, by written questionnaire posted to “Freepost GM BUS CONSULTATION”, or by visiting the consultation website to find out more and complete an online questionnaire. Alternative formats can also be requested by emailing the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Currently in Greater Manchester, individual bus companies decide their own routes, timetables, tickets and standards. In areas they do not run services, the public sector pays to fill in the gaps in the market where it can.
In October, GMCA became the first city-region in the UK to launch a public consultation on a proposed bus franchising scheme, operating similarly to the way the bus service works in London.
This scheme would mean that bus services would come under Greater Manchester’s control; GMCA would set the routes, timetables, tickets and standards, while the bus operators would run the services. This would allow buses to work better with the rest of public transport – as part of Our Network – Greater Manchester’s vision for a joined-up transport system.
GMCA wants to hear the public’s views as part of their public consultation. It does not matter if responses are from a regular bus passenger or someone who rarely use the buses, everyone’s views are important and will inform a future decision on how Greater Manchester’s buses are run.