Public to have their say on buses plans
Oldham council leader Sean Fielding said bus operators are currently unaccountable, telling colleagues how as a council leader he is reduced to ‘tweeting like a troll’ at First in order to get answers about basic service problems.
The cost of transitioning to a regulated service, from now until 2024/25, is estimated at £134.5m. Most of the funding is expected to come from the government, but just under £23m is expected to come from council tax rises - equating to an £18.20 hike for Band D properties by 2024.
But the bus industry consortium OneBus has estimated that tax rises will go up to £68.10 a year for the average household.
Gary Nolan, chief executive, says their own £100m partnership proposals would ‘deliver the transformation people want to see far quicker than a franchising model, and without additional cost for taxpayers’.
A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “The huge cost of franchising our buses could be better spent on investing in social care, schools and policing - as well as tackling crippling road congestion, which is the biggest barrier to providing better and more attractive bus services. We would urge the people of Greater Manchester to consider the options for bus services and their implications very carefully.
“If local people want to see lower fares, a more joined up transport system, and investment in their bus services without a massive bill, they should choose partnership and reject franchising.”
The consultation will go live at noon on October 14 at www.gmconsult.org.