Transport

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

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is proposing a bus franchising scheme for the whole of Greater Manchester.

This would mean that bus services would be under Greater Manchester’s control and they would decide which services would be provided - like the way buses are run in London and some other major cities around the world. GMCA would set the routes, timetables, tickets and standards, while the bus operators would run the services.  

This would allow buses to work better with the rest of public transport – as part of Our Network – Greater Manchester’s vision for a joined-up transport system.

Consultation

We ran a consultation about the proposed bus franchising scheme from 14th October 2019 to 8th January 2020. 

Ipsos MORI is analysing the responses and developing a consultation feedback report, which will be published alongside the GMCA’s response to the consultation.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester will then make a decision as to whether to introduce the proposed scheme. This is currently expected to take place in early 2020.

• Statutory notice

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) 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.

• Our Network

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.

• Our Prospectus for Rail

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 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.

Other links

• All meetings relating to Transport
• View all documents relating to Transport