Greater Manchester buses to be brought under public control with cheaper fares and an integrated network

A judge has ruled in favour of Andy Burnham’s proposal for major bus reform in a historic moment for public transport in Greater Manchester.  

Bus firms Stagecoach and Rotala brought forward a judicial review for the plans, in which they claimed the process taken by leaders to move to a franchising system – where operators had to bid to run services under public control – was ‘irrational’ and ‘unlawful’.

However, a judge ruled against the operators yesterday in a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, saying as per the Manchester Evening News: “Whilst I granted the plaintiffs permission to bring the review I dismiss the claims.

“In my judgement the mayor’s decision and the process by which the Greater Manchester Combined Authority came to recommend the scheme was lawful.”

The mayor took to Twitter shortly after the ruling to express his delight, writing: “Pleased to say we have successfully defended the decision I took to put GM buses under public control.

“We won on ALL points. The way is now clear for the North to retake control of its public transport.

“We can finally put people before profits after 36 years of the opposite.”

In an official statement, Burnham added: “Following the strong mandate from the Greater Manchester public, who wanted buses bringing back under public control, it is frustrating that the two companies concerned pursued this action and I am pleased that the court has dismissed all of their arguments.

“I now ask them to accept the clear ruling and allow us to crack on and give the people of Greater Manchester what they want – an integrated, accessible and affordable ‘London-style’ transport system joining together buses, trams, cycling and walking; the Bee Network.”

Burnham will be working with bus operators and the government across the next couple of years to create the bus network that the region needs, and has promised an update on Monday. 

As previously reported, the new plans include an integrated system of buses, trams and trains, all of which will run in synch. 

Under the new proposed system, there will be 830 services run by thirty operators with 150 different ticket types across the region, including £1.50 ‘hopper’ fares, ten minute service routes, 2,000 more accessible bus stops and an increased number of evening and Sunday services. 

Also on the way could be simpler and cheaper fares, ticketing, a daily cap on price and a ‘tap in’ system with contactless payment.

This is all an opportunity to provide affordable alternatives to driving on the roads, which is at the heart of reducing air pollution.

Burnham has long been calling for a change in the region’s bus system, with him last year pushing for ‘London-style’ bus fares to be adopted across not only Manchester but the North of England, saying they would be a ‘game changer’.

He has also discussed the possibility of buses being ‘integrated with the tram system’ in the past, suggesting that commuters would have a ‘daily cap on what they could expect to pay on any given day, no matter how many buses or trams they took’.