Burnham’s vow over transport revolution
MAYOR ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR OVERHAUL BY 2020 - SAYING SYSTEM ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH
GREATER Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was today due to announce plans for a dramatic overhaul of the region’s transport system within three years – arguing it is ‘not good enough’ for the country’s second city.
In a drive aimed at finally bringing our fragmented network in line with London’s, Mr Burnham was expected to outline a raft of measures intended to ease the misery of passengers and motorists across the conurbation. His key goal will be to link all modes of public transport together into a joined-up network with a simplified ticketing system, cutting congestion at the same time.
Mr Burnham aims to introduce long-awaited ticketless Metrolink travel by the second half of next year and to split tram fares into ‘zones’ by 2019, as well as bringing in a London-style daily cap on the amount passengers spend on tram journeys.
The mayor also aims to have a new deal with bus operators in place by the end of next year.
That would use new devolved powers to then bring in new timetables, routes and streamlined fares while rolling out the ticketless system onto the bus network.
Mr Burnham also wants all buses and trams to have the same livery, in the same way Transport for London has common branding across all types of public transport in the capital, while ensuring the same level of disabled access on all buses.
In a speech this morning, Mr Burnham was due to say much clearer and closer management of all modes of transport – including rail, roads, trams and buses – is needed if the Greater Manchester’s network is function properly.
He was expected to announce a new mayoral transport board that will bring together bosses not only from local bodies but also private sector bus operators, Network Rail and Highways England.
That will not replace existing organisations such as Transport for Greater Manchester but will aim to ensure the officials in charge of all parts of the network, including national agencies, are on the same page.
Mr Burnham hopes integrating the network will cut traffic misery by encouraging people out of their cars, having already ruled out a congestion charge to the M.E.N. earlier this year.
It is understood transport is to become one of his biggest priorities between now and the end of his mayoral term in May 2020.