The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he hoped to use the powers to build a London-style integrated transport system that puts passengers’ needs before the interests of private bus companies. Burnham has been preparing for a battle with some of the 42 bus companies that compete for business in Greater Manchester, which has a population of 2.8 million people. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) spends £27.1m a year subsidising about 20% of the region’s bus services, which run at times of day and in areas where there is a social need. A spokesman said: “The mayor has had on his desk for months a compelling £100m blueprint from bus operators which could further transform the region’s bus network right now. “People … must be asking why Transport for Greater Manchester has needlessly spent £23m of taxpayers’ money on consultants’ reports assessing franchising, when practical improvements have been delayed and the partnership solutions are already staring politicians in the face.”

Source: The Guardian June 24, 2019 11:54 UTC