New contract awards sees Stockport bus routes saved from axe

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has awarded new contracts that will see over 60 bus routes across the city-region, including many in Stockport, saved from being reduced or withdrawn.

A number of the city-region’s bus services faced being cut by operators as passenger numbers remain below pre-pandemic service levels ahead of the ending of additional government funding to keep routes running. New agreements with operators and a recent funding national funding deal from government has protected all routes at risk of being lost or facing reduced services, barring three exceptions where alternative services are available.

In Stockport, at-risk routes being retained include the 42B and 42C in Cheadle Hulme, as well as the 11A Altrincham to Stockport bus route, which will now be operated by Diamond. The 191 service from Hazel Grove to Manchester, 197 from Stockport to Manchester and 23 from Stockport to Stretford and the Trafford Centre will also all continue to run, despite some slight reduction in the frequency of buses at certain times.

The retention of services follows the accelerated introduction of capped fares (at £2 for an adult single ticket) for buses in Greater Manchester, introduced as part of the ongoing reforms of the bus network in the city-region aimed at improving the affordability and reliability of public transport.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“With Greater Manchester set to start bringing buses back under local control in just over a year, and having introduced new low bus fares just this week, it was vital we didn’t find ourselves with a shrinking bus network.

“That is why we took the decision to step in, save these services and keep our communities connected. 

“Buses are the backbone of our public transport system, and while this is good news for the tens of thousands of people who rely on them every single day, we now need more people to get on board with us, so we can grow and sustain a much-improved public transport network.”

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has also been able to retain cross boundary links and frequencies through collaboration with neighbouring authorities and negotiations and contract awards with operators. The cost is within the estimated £15 million per annum, with funding to come from a combination of existing budgets and government funding. Other significant local funds have also been allocated to improve bus services across the city-region, including the £135 million to transition to bus franchising and funding for Our Pass, providing free travel to 16–18-year-olds.

Cllr Andrew Western, Chair of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee, said:

“Through the delivery of the Bee Network we will help people by providing a quality public transport network that is integrated, reliable, and offers value for money.  

“Buses are integral to this and over the next few years we will look to build growth by delivering new quality bus routes, with cleaner buses, integrated fares and better customer information.

“We can only fully realise our ambitious plans for the Bee Network if people get on board and back us by using their local bus or tram service.”