Bus companies in Bolton have responded to Andy Burnham’s announcement to accelerate plans to reduce bus fares in Greater Manchester in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.
Yesterday, Thursday, the Mayor of Greater Manchester announced that from September 1 he plans to cap single journey fares at £1 for children and £2 for adults.
In addition, there will be a new £5 daily ticket people can buy which will allow for unlimited travel on all operators.
This plan for a "London-style" franchising of the bus network throughout the metropolitan area had originally been scheduled to start in autumn 2023.
However, in the face of the economic crisis currently gripping the country, Mr Burnham has proposed bringing that date significantly forward, subject to approval from the government and bus operators.
Bus fares across the whole of Greater Manchester are being capped to offset the rising cost of living. The Mayor wants passengers to pay no more than £2 a journey or £5 a day. Children's fares will be no more than £1.
— Kevin Fitzpatrick (@kevfitz21) June 16, 2022
Andy Burnham says it's part of his bus reforms. pic.twitter.com/1v22BizXEp
Mr Burnham is calling on public backing for the plans.
Yesterday, he said: “My message to the people of our city-region is simple: Greater Manchester needs you.
“Use public transport and make the most of these affordable fares. Only you can make this sustainable.
“To make affordable fare caps permanent, we need people to take the bus.
We’re on an exciting journey and we need the whole of the city region to get behind it.”
OneBus, a partnership of bus operators in Greater Manchester – of which Diamond buses is included – said: “OneBus and its members support any initiative that will increase bus use.
"Reducing bus fares is one element of a wider package of measures needed to achieve this.
“We also need further and focussed investment in bus priority measures and urgent schemes to address traffic congestion to speed up bus journeys and make them more reliable.
READ: Bolton residents share thoughts on Andy Burnham bus fare change
“The Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) bid also included these initiatives.
“There will obviously be a cost to the bus companies, and we look forward to further discussions to agree how that will be covered using the BSIP funding.”
An Arriva spokesperson said: “At Arriva we are focused on increasing passenger journeys, ensuring bus travel is convenient, reliable, and affordable for all.
“We welcome plans to encourage people to take the bus and we look forward to working with TfGM to understand more around timelines and funding for the proposal.”
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