Transport

To benefit from growth and prosperity, local people must be able to move quickly and efficiently to their Greater Manchester work, education and leisure destinations.

The national road and railway network puts us at the heart of the northern economy. Our international airport links us to global passenger and freight networks.

Now we're in the middle of an exciting new phase of transport upgrades that will see even more Metrolink tramlines and faster and more direct bus journeys.

Improvements to rail infrastructure and the road network will keep trains and traffic moving, and we're making walking and cycling safer and more attractive travel choices too.

Proposed bus franchising scheme for Greater Manchester

Buses are at the heart of Greater Manchester’s public transport network. Currently – both before and during the pandemic – 75% of all public transport journeys are by bus. They are a critical link for many people – especially for those who don’t have a car – to access jobs, education and essential services. 

Greater Manchester’s ambition is for buses to be a part of Our Network, our ten-year plan for a truly integrated public transport system to make getting around the city-region easy, accessible and affordable. 

Currently, the bus companies decide the routes, frequencies, fares and standards. There is no coordination and limited oversight.  Where bus companies decide not to run services, the public sector where necessary pays to fill in the gaps. 

Between October 2019 and January 2020, Greater Manchester held a consultation on a proposed franchising scheme for the city-region’s buses. Franchising means bus services would be brought under local control. Greater Manchester Combined Authority would coordinate the bus network based on what services passengers need and would also coordinate investment in the bus network; with operators contracted by GMCA to run the services.  

Over 8,500 responses were received, with four-out-of-five respondents supporting the proposed franchising scheme. 

In June 2020, GMCA noted the results of the consultation and asked TfGM to consider what impact the Covid-19 pandemic may have on the bus market and the proposed franchising scheme before any final decision is made. 

The Covid Impact report will be considered by GMCA on Friday 27 November. If approved by GMCA, a further consultation on the findings of this report will take place between Wednesday 2 December 2020 and Friday 29 January 2021.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) (opens in a new tab) is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers the GMCA's transport policies. It coordinates transport networks across the region, decides where to invest transport funding, and owns and runs the Metrolink tram service.

Our Network

To keep Greater Manchester moving we need to ensure we have a truly integrated public transport system, so that getting around our city-region is easy, accessible and affordable.  We also need excellent walking and cycling links in our local neighbourhoods so that we can walk and cycle easily and safely for shorter journeys. 

That means having the right connections to the right places, simple ticketing that works across different modes of transport and the necessary powers to ensure our transport network works together for the benefit of Greater Manchester’s people and businesses.

Our Network sets out everything we want to achieve over the next ten years to improve our public transport and walking and cycling networks.

Rail Prospectus

Our Prospectus for Rail, which builds on Our Network, sets out what is needed for a transformational change in both tram and train services so that all rail travel can play a full part in the future prosperity of Greater Manchester.

Cycling and walking 

Led by Olympic gold medallist, Chris Boardman, Greater Manchester has embarked on mission to create world class streets for walking and cycling.

Update on concessionary travel

Greater Manchester is making a number of changes to concessionary travel arrangements. This update sets out the latest policy position.

At present, different concessionary schemes are not consistent in the way they charge people for the issuing of a pass.  We are proposing to make them more consistent with Greater Manchester’s commitment to equality and fair treatment across the ages.  

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport (opens in a new tab) is the UK’s largest regional airport. It handles over 22 million passengers a year, with more than 100 airlines offering direct flights to over 200 worldwide destinations.

Transport plan and long-term strategy

The Local Transport Plan describes how we'll make travel easier across Greater Manchester, and shows how a sustainable and accessible transport network will support economic growth.

Council Tax - Transport Funding

Transport is an important part of life for everyone in Greater Manchester. It connects people with jobs, education and their families; it gets customers and suppliers to businesses and it connects people with important public services.

This page gives an overview of how revenue funding will be spent on transport over the next 12 months.

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Transport