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Transport bosses want more power over buses

27/11/2007

Manchester's transport chiefs want the government to ensure passengers in the city-region have access to a better bus network.

The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) is urging policy-makers to strengthen the local transport bill, which was published on November 8th.

Once passed, the bill will allow the GMPTA to control bus services through partnerships with operators but transport bosses also want to be able to set fares, routes and the frequencies of services.

GMPTA chair Roger Jones said: "The current bus system simply doesn't work in the public interest. The bus operators make large profits from busy routes while we have to use taxpayers' money to pay for vital services to local communities.

"We want to be able to hold bus companies to account for the quality of services across Greater Manchester."

The bill goes before the House of Lords on December 6th, which is when amendments will be considered.

In related news, Stagecoach has announced that, following talks with bus drivers, strikes planned for November 27th and 29th are not going ahead.