Operators are taking stock after TfGM’s announcment of the winners of its second round of franchising, whilst passengers are being promised 20% cheaper travel across the region
Passengers are being promised new combined tram and bus tickets which Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says will cut the cost of travel, whilst operators have been confirmed to run the second phase of contracts starting in March as the city authority pushes on with its move towards a fully franchised regime.
Stagecoach has been the big winner in the second phase of franchise awards, taking all three major contract awards. It will retain its existing Middleton depot, and take over operation of Queens Road and Oldham depots from 24 March 2024, representing 87 routes served by a fleet of 349 buses and 947 employees.
Stagecoach gains
Employees currently working at the operator’s Middleton depot will remain employed by Stagecoach Manchester whilst 947 employees will transfer from the current operators of Queens Road and Oldham depots, Go North West and First Bus respectively.
Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester Lee Wasnidge said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen for these contracts and are looking forward to providing exceptional bus services to customers across North Manchester. We have a fantastic team who have a proud history of serving the communities in Greater Manchester, and we are honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of delivering reliable and high-quality services whilst maintaining crucial transport links for the people in our region.
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Mayor, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester to implement planned improvements for customers on the Bee Network. Our shared goal is to deliver outstanding service, create a more sustainable future, develop stronger communities, and build a brighter future for our region. To the dedicated staff currently working at the depots that will be operated by Stagecoach, we extend a warm welcome. We want to assure you that we value your contribution and are committed to ensuring a smooth and positive transition. We will work closely with your current employers to support you throughout this process.”
Diamond Bus North West said it was pleased to have built on its earlier contract wins with the award of the 5-year Oldham small franchise in the second tranche of awards. The contract involves the operation of two services in the Oldham area, requiring six vehicles and approximately 15 members of staff. The services will operate from Diamond’s existing depot in Eccles.
”We look forward to welcoming new colleagues from the outgoing operators under TUPE. These will be supplemented by additional members of staff who will be recruited and trained in advance of commencement of operations in March 2024,” the operator said.
Executive Director Bob Dunn commented: “We are pleased to have been awarded a further franchise within Greater Manchester. This franchise contract will operate alongside the previous seven awarded in tranche one, and we look forward to further success in tranche three. We are looking forward to meeting our new customers and colleagues in Oldham early next year.”
Meanwhile in Rochdale, both small franchises have been awarded to First Manchester, representing around 40 buses worth of work.
Go-Ahead disappointment
Having made significant investment in the Queens Road site since taking over from First in 2019, and following its recently announced recruitment drive for its newly-won large contract operations as part of the first phase of franchise awards in Bolton and Wigan where Diamond Bus North West and Stagecoach are currently the dominant operators, Go North West expressed disappointment in losing the depot to Stagecoach. Addressing colleagues, Managing Director Nigel Featham said: “Go North West is deeply disappointed to learn of this decision, especially after turning around the fortunes of the depot over the last four years. That we managed to do so was only possible thanks to the hard work and commitment of the best workforce it has ever been my pleasure to work with.”
In a consolatory tone, he added: “The decision is made and there is nothing we can do to change it. We should bear in mind that TfGM’s plan to introduce a franchised network to the region is not only a massive policy undertaking, it’s also a complicated logistical challenge; whatever we may think of individual depot decisions, a true picture will only emerge once all the pieces fall into place.
“Change, as we know, can be unsettling. Looking to the future, our priority will be to ensure business as usual, right up to the moment the depot transitions to a new operator.”
Revised fares
The first franchised services will begin in September, as part of which Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced a range of new tickets designed to make travel across the city-region cheaper and easier. TfGM says its new Bee AnyBus+Tram tickets will make combined bus and tram travel around 20% cheaper compared to separate tickets. The new fares will launch on 24 September to coincide with the launch of the franchised Bee Network. The introduction of a simplified, integrated and cheaper fare structure has been a key part of the Mayor’s plan for the promised ‘London-style’ Bee Network.
The Mayor said: “We know that lower fares make a real difference to people – particularly in today’s challenging times – so I am delighted to be able to announce that not only are we extending the capped bus fares for at least another year, we are cutting the cost of travel even more with our new Bee AnyBus+Tram tickets, making multi-modal journeys 20% cheaper from September than they are today.
“We are working to deliver a network for our millions of residents and visitors that is every bit as good as the one Londoners have – one that has frequent, reliable services and low fares – and it starts by bringing buses back under local control in three months’ time. With the potential to travel across the whole of Greater Manchester by bus for just £5 – or as little as £7.80 with the entire tram network included too, the lower fares represent great value for money, particularly compared to the cost of travelling by car. Cutting the cost of public transport benefits everyone and I want it to be a lasting and defining part of the Bee Network. That can only happen if more people use it, so my plea today is for everyone to get on board with us and help keep fares low. You’ll be better off with the Bee Network.”
The city region is also to introduce tap-on, tap-off style ticketing across its rail network as part of its plans. “I would also like to put on record my thanks to Rail Minister Huw Merriman for his commitment to working with us to pilot a new way to pay on rail that will ultimately enable us to integrate certain key rail services in Greater Manchester into the Bee Network,” added Mayor Burnham.
