Following the announcement of a ‘trailblazer’ new devolution deal for Greater Manchester, further details have been revealed about how this will shape the city-region’s plans for transport.
In addition to a new funding model for the city-region in devolved areas, Greater Manchester will also gain addition influence over local rail services on top of existing powers over the tram and bus networks. Regional train lines will be brought under the city-region’s Bee Network ambitions for a London-style integrate transport networking by 2030.
With bus services starting to come under TfGM control from September this year in some parts of Greater Manchester, a new Rail Partnership with Great British Railways will see integrated fare and ticketing pilots agreed by the end of the year as part of the latest devolution deal. TfGM has plans for a touch-in/touch-out system, similar to London’s Oyster Card and contactless payments system, to be rolled out across the bus and train network alongside the existing scheme already in use on Metrolink trams.
Among the routes previously highlighted by the city-region to come under local control as early as 2025 including services many local trains through Stockport, including routes from Manchester Piccadilly to Glossop, Rose Hill Marple, Buxton and Alderley Edge. Franchised bus services remain on track to be implemented in Stockport by the end of 2024.
Welcoming the announcement on transport devolution, Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner, Vernon Everitt, said:
“The integrated Bee Network will transform how people move around our growing city-region and radically improve what it is like to do business here for generations to come. Better rail services are critical elements in delivering this.
“We are supportive of rail reform under Great British Railways (GBR) and I very much welcome this Trailblazer Deal. It provides a firm foundation for effective partnership working with GBR with clear initial actions to enable full integration of local rail services into the Bee Network by 2030.
“It is particularly exciting to see the Deal’s commitment to simplified and joined-up fares and ticketing, with pilots for this to be agreed this year, and the branding of stations to bring everything together for customers. Having greater influence to shape train services and infrastructure investment is also very welcome.
“In just over six months’ time we will deliver the first major steps towards creating the Bee Network when buses begin to come under local control alongside Metrolink and active travel. Integrating train services with the rest of the Bee Network is the next step and we can’t wait to take it all forward with partners to deliver world-class connectivity and services for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.”
The new devolution deal lays the foundation for greater input into stations, services and strategic infrastructure investment in Greater Manchester with the creation of the?North West?Regional Business Unit and GM Rail Board. This will enable GMCA to improve local scrutiny of performance, help shape future service integration with the Bee Network and support the best?possible?public transport?experience for?the?people and businesses of?Greater Manchester.
The deal also commits the government and GMCA to identify the specific legal powers needed for TfGM to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour and fare evasion on public transport. On funding, particularly in light of post-Covid changes to travel habits and reduced passenger numbers, discussions remain ongoing with government to securing short-term financing over the next two years as plans move forward.
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