Andy Burnham on DfT figures showing bus usage is down 40% in 10 years

Passengers across the region took 121m bus journeys in the year to March, up from 68.6m the year before – which was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic – but down significantly on pre-pandemic levels.

In 2019-20, the last full year before the pandemic, Greater Manchester passengers took 177.9m journeys.

And over the last decade, people using bus services in the region has dropped by 41 per cent from 205.9m journeys.

But with bringing buses under public control - with Bolton services set to be the first - it is hoped the trend can be reversed.

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On these new figures, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Buses are the backbone of our transport network and integral to our plan for the Bee Network, an integrated, London-style transport system for Greater Manchester. 

(L-R) Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Lou Cordwell OBE, chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership, and Bolton Council leader Martyn Cox in 2021

“It is true that for too long people have been let down by a deregulated and underfunded bus system that has not always put passengers first, with operators free to cut routes and increase fares. That’s why we took the decision to bring buses back under public control and deliver the biggest change to public transport for almost 40 years. 

“Bus franchising will enable us to better integrate services as part of a joined-up network, with simpler fares and ticketing, a price cap so no one pays more than they need to, a better customer service offer and a single look for the whole network.”   

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The number of people taking the bus has been in steady decline since 2013/14, however Bolton is set to be the first beneficiary of Mr Burnham’s Bee Network bus integration plans which are due to be introduced later this year.

Stephen Rhodes, director of bus at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said: “By bringing in capped fares and integrating franchised bus services – starting in Bolton and Wigan in September – with the wider Bee Network, we believe we are making buses a more convenient and accessible option for customers to get on board.

Arriva Bus depot, Bolton (Image: NQ ARCHIVE)

“TfGM will also provide funding to protect bus services at risk of withdrawal where possible, and we will continue to work with operators to find solutions to retain services to ensure that communities are not cut off.

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“The figures released by the Department for Transport shows that there has already been an upturn in the number of bus journeys taken in Greater Manchester, with a 76 per cent increase in trips in the year to March compared to the year before as we emerged from the Covid pandemic, and we are keen for this to continue.”