The new Transport Secretary has visited Manchester to hear about TfGM’s franchising journey, and pledged more support for other areas to do the same
During a visit to Greater Manchester on 11 July, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh pledged to support every community to take back control of buses through franchising or public ownership as part of the new Labour government’s ‘bus revolution.’ The new Transport Secretary met with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to discuss how the area’s Bee Network can be replicated across the country with the aim of delivering better services, growing passenger numbers and driving opportunity to under-served regions.
She pledged to create and save ‘vital’ bus routes up and down the country, calling time on ‘the failed system of deregulation that has seen service levels plummet.’ The plans, she says, will also bring an end to the ‘postcode lottery’ of bus services by providing safeguards over local networks across the country.
Launched last September, TfGM says passenger numbers have grown by 5% in the first area to be franchised, with revenue following suit.
During her visit, the Transport Secretary was able to see first-hand how the the Bee Network has been created and could be replicated across the country, and heard directly the challenges faced by Greater Manchester during its six-year journey to franchising.
The Transport Secretary said: “Buses are the lifeblood of communities, but the system is broken. Too often, passengers are left waiting hours for buses that don’t turn up – and some have been cut off altogether.
“Change starts now. This new Government will give local leaders the tools they need to deliver better buses up and down the country. Our plan will create and save vital bus routes by giving every community the power to take back control of their bus services through franchising or public ownership. We are already seeing how the Bee Network is delivering for people across Greater Manchester – we will ensure every community can enjoy the same benefits.”
TfGM says that the Bee Network is also boosting Manchester’s Metrolink tram network, which recorded its busiest month in its 32-year history during May, with 4.1 million passengers using the trams, higher than the previous record of 4 million set before the pandemic in 2019.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Properly integrated public transport is the key to unlocking growth and opportunity across our city-region, improving the lives of our residents, supporting businesses and delivering greater value for money.
“The numbers speak for themselves – our Bee Network has more passengers than ever before and is providing a better service for residents. Greater Manchester has shown that our pioneering approach works and we look forward to working with the government to put power back into the hands of local communities.”
The bus plan is part of the new Government’s ambition to develop a long-term, national strategy for transport. CEO of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Graham Vidler said: “The industry stands fully behind the objectives of growing the nation’s vital bus network and improving passengers’ experiences. We look forward to working hand in hand with the government to deliver change which benefits passengers across the whole country and drives swifter progress towards the UK’s climate targets.”
