GREATER BUS OVERVIEW

Background —— Buses are a vital part of our transport network. Currently, three out of every four public transport journeys in are made by bus. —— Demand on our transport network is growing. By 2035 it is estimated we will need to support 600,000 extra daily journeys. —— Despite this, bus use in Greater Manchester is falling. There has been a decline of 32 million annual passenger journeys by bus since 2010. Current bus market —— Since 1986 Greater Manchester bus services have been deregulated and are now run by private operators – who decide routes, timetables, fares and standards. —— Transport for Greater Manchester currently subsidises around 20% of Greater Manchester’s bus services on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. —— There are currently more than 30 companies operating in Greater Manchester, with four large operators – Arriva, First, Stagecoach and (a new operator in the region) – delivering the vast majority of services. —— The deregulated bus market means that there is no oversight of coordination between bus services and other modes of public transport; a lack of integrated ticketing; no consistent branding; often confusing travel information and differing standards for customers. —— It also prevents Greater Manchester from delivering an overall strategic vision for the bus network, which would ensure that bus services are designed to meet the future travel needs of people in the city-region. Greater Manchester’s vision for bus —— The Greater Manchester 2040 Transport Strategy sets out our Vision for Bus. —— It is based on four objectives: —— an integrated network —— simplified and integrated ticketing —— a great customer experience —— value for money. How we are working to achieve this —— The Bus Services Act (2017) gave Mayoral authorities like Greater Manchester powers to reform their bus markets. —— On behalf of the GMCA, TfGM has been preparing an assessment of a proposed franchising scheme for Greater Manchester. —— Alongside franchising, the assessment has also considered other options, such as partnerships. GREATER MANCHESTER BUS OVERVIEW

The options Do nothing —— This would mean the Mayor not using the powers under the Bus Services Act. —— Bus operators would continue to set standards, routes, ticketing, timetables and vehicle specifications. —— TfGM would continue to subsidise socially necessary services on behalf of the GMCA. Partnership —— This would explore how far TfGM could work with the bus operators to improve services. —— This could involve both making improvements to the network, for example in terms of service standards or infrastructure. —— There are different types of partnership, all of which have varying degrees of regulation and enforceability. Franchising —— Under franchising TfGM, on behalf of the GMCA, could set the services, timetables, vehicle standards, ticketing options and branding. —— TfGM would receive the revenue from tickets and contract bus companies to run services. —— The assessment’s recommended option is franchising. Next steps —— The assessment has been completed and recommends proceeding with the proposed franchising scheme for the entirety of Greater Manchester. —— The GMCA have voted to proceed to the next step and an auditor has been appointed to prepare a report on the assessment. —— When the report is complete, the GMCA would then review the assessment and the audit and decide whether to undertake a public consultation. —— Once the public consultation is complete the GMCA would then publish a report with its responses to the consultation. —— The Mayor, acting on behalf of the GMCA, would then decide whether to implement the proposed franchising scheme.