The Transport Secretary Louise Haigh will visit Greater Manchester today on her first official visit, with a pledge to support local leaders to deliver better buses
She will meet with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to discuss how the area’s Bee Network can be replicated across the country to deliver better services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions.
The Transport Secretary will pledge to create and save vital bus routes up and down the country, calling time on the failed system of deregulation that has seen service levels plummet. The plans will also bring an end to the postcode lottery of bus services by providing safeguards over local networks across the country.
Launched last September as the first bus franchise in England outside London, the integrated Bee Network has delivered for local people by growing passenger numbers and improving the reliability of local bus services. This has already seen passenger numbers grow by 5% in the first area to be franchised, with revenue following suit.
The Transport Secretary will see first-hand how the successes of the Bee Network can be replicated across the country, improving services and handing power back to local people.
The Transport Secretary will also hear directly the challenges faced by Greater Manchester during its franchising journey.
Greater Manchester endured a six-year slog to deliver local control of bus services due to unnecessary barriers. The Government’s plan will remove these barriers so better buses can be delivered faster.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:
“Buses are the lifeblood of communities, but the system is broken.
“Too often, passengers are left waiting hours for buses that don’t turn up – and some have been cut off altogether.
“Change starts now. This new Government will give local leaders the tools they need to deliver better buses up and down the country.
“Our plan will create and save vital bus routes by giving every community the power to take back control of their bus services through franchising or public ownership.
“We are already seeing how the Bee Network is delivering for people across Greater Manchester – we will ensure every community can enjoy the same benefits.”
