£100m proposal launched to help make bus travel more attractive and to tackle air pollution
Greater Manchester’s bus operators have launched a £100m partnership blueprint to revolutionise the region’s bus network.
Plans unveiled by OneBus would deliver better connectivity for local communities, ease the cost of travel and tackle the region's growing congestion and air pollution crisis.
The bus operators' blueprint, which is consistent with the new powers in the Bus Services Act, proposes:
- 450 new low-emission buses over the next three years to boost the region's air quality, with the first 150 delivered by 2020
- More flexible and simplified tickets, recommendation of two-year price freeze on multi-operator bus fares, and more affordable travel for people of all ages
- An action plan for Transport for Greater Manchester and other agencies to tackle congestion hotspots, speed up journeys and cut gridlock
- A single unified brand identity for all bus services, with individual operator buses clearly identifiable as part of a partnership
- Improved integration of bus, tram and rail services
- Joint bus network review to maximise connectivity for passengers
- Better on-board customer experience, including extension of free wi-fi across the bus fleet
- A fully co-ordinated, central approach to traffic management, customer contact and travel information.
Gary Nolan, Chief Executive of OneBus, says: “Buses are central to the future of Greater Manchester and this positive package of proposals can make a real difference to tackling the biggest challenges facing our communities: Road congestion and air quality.
“Building on the significant investment already made by operators, there is a window of opportunity for everyone to work together to deliver a revolution in the region's bus network."
