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City bus cuts taken to the Commons

16/02/2007

The issue of cuts to the bus service in Greater Manchester has been brought to the attention of the House of Commons, it has emerged.

First, one of the biggest bus operators in the city-region, is considering axing a number of routes, claiming they are under-used. This is despite the fact that transport chiefs want commuters to use Manchester's public transport system as congestion charging gets ever closer to reality.

Both Ian Stewart and Barbara Keeley, MPs for Eccles and Worsley respectively, have spoken out in the Commons about the importance of good, affordable transport for Greater Manchester, reports the Salford Advertiser.

Mr Stewart said: "Buses have been withdrawn on the three main radial routes – from Little Hulton through Swinton to Manchester; from Worsley and Boothstown, through Eccles to Manchester; and from Cadishead and Irlam through Eccles to Manchester –and on other routes.

"Why cannot we allow the passenger transport executives and authorities to buy and run buses where no private operator wishes to do so?"

A joint report by the regional transport authority and the various Manchester councils stated employment growth in the city-region would fall short by 30,000 jobs in the next ten years if nothing is done to sort out public transport and congested roads.


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