The operators of the first buses to be brought under public control in more than 30 years are "pleased" and "proud" with their selection.

Go North West and Diamond were awarded the franchises last week in an announcement by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, with these franchises set to come into action on September 24 next year.

Go North West, a subsidiary of Go Ahead Group, was awarded two large contracts covering both the boroughs of Bolton and Wigan. 

Its managing director, Nigel Featham, said: "We are extremely proud and excited to have been selected to run the first franchised bus services in Greater Manchester and to be able to play our part in delivering the Bee Network.

"We are absolutely committed to providing the best possible service to the people of Bolton and Wigan and cannot wait to get started. 

"This new era of public transport will not only represent a major change for the passengers, but also the thousands of people working to provide these vital services.

"While change can be exciting and full of new possibilities, it can also be unsettling and I want to reassure staff working at the depots to be run by Go North West from next September that we will be working hard to ensure a smooth transition in the coming months."

Diamond, a subsidiary of Rotala, was awarded a number of smaller contracts covering both the boroughs of Bolton and Wigan, as well as parts of Bury and Salford.

Rotala opposed the plan for franchised bus services at the High Court then the Court of Appeal, but is an important part of the Bee Network a matter of months on.

The managing director of Diamond, Bob Dunn, said: "I am pleased we have won the franchises that we have bid for and I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that the next year will bring.

"In partnership with the Mayor, TfGM and GMCA, we will be stepping up the quality on over 40 bus routes in Greater Manchester, supported by our team of over 250 colleagues and 80 buses.

"We cannot wait to meet our new customers, and we look forward to continuing to playing a key role in the significant improvements taking place to Greater Manchester’s public transport offer."

Although the authorities are to be responsible for prices, tickets, routes and timetables, the passengers are to be at the centre of the operation of public transport, Mr Burnham suggested last week.

The metro mayor revealed the operators are to be assessed against several targets, including customer complaints, with poor performance resulting in penalties.

The plan for franchised bus services rolls out to Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and North Manchester in early 2024 and Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and South Manchester at the end of 2024.

The operators for these franchised bus services are to be confirmed.