Mp says mayor should make bid for bus firm
ANDY Burnham has been urged to buy up Manchester’s struggling First Bus company in a ‘once in a generation’ bid to improve services – after suggestions the firm would be withdrawing from the city region.
First, which runs the vast majority of services across the north of Greater Manchester, has been reported to be considering selling off the city’s division under a cutprice deal amid falling profits.
Now Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has written to the mayor, urging him to consider a public buy-out.
Citing particularly poor services in the north of the conurbation, he points to powers granted under devolution that allow the mayor – alongside council leaders – to reform the system.
“Securing the fleet, depots and loyal workforce provides a once in a generation opportunity to repair the damage privatisation has caused to public transport in our city region,” he writes.
Senior combined authority sources and the mayor’s office say such a move would not be possible under existing legislation, but the MP argues it should at least be looked at.
A new law brought in two years ago handed the mayor and councils new powers over buses, but requires them to jump through a series of hoops.
That includes weighing up the possibility of a partnership option with operators before any move to completely take control.
Choosing to operate the service directly is not allowed under the legislation, however.
Mr McMahon acknowledges this, writing: “I realise that there are restrictions on the role councils can play in new bus companies following the Bus Services Act 2017, but given this is an existing company, it would not be competing with the current operator, and it could be that an operating model similar to that of Metrolink would be an option, or that it provides an opportunity to see through bus franchising.”
A spokesman for Mr Burnham responded: “Unfortunately, under the Bus Services Act, local government bodies, including councils and combined authorities, are legally prohibited from owning and running local bus companies, including as part of a co-operative.
“However, the mayor is clear that we must consider all options available to us to support and invest in our bus network for the future.”