Public transport leaders are in a quandary over their next move after the congestion vote.

Councillor Matt Colledge, Chair of GMPTA, said: “The people of Greater Manchester have taken the opportunity to express their opinion.

"Greater Manchester has taken a bold step in putting forward this bid to radically improve the public transport network.

“We now need to rethink and reconsider the limited funding we currently get and prioritise this across the region, while looking to identify further funding for our longer term public transport vision.

“As a result of the detailed and dedicated work and extensive consultation that has gone into preparing such an enormously intricate bid, we now have a clear set of transport investment priorities and business cases for Greater Manchester.

“We are committed to ensuring that this legacy is put to good use by working hard with central government to establish alternative ways to deliver these schemes, which remain critical to the future of our economy.”

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Vice Chair of GMPTA, said: “The job of the Authority remains as important as ever.

“We will continue to champion the needs of passengers in Greater Manchester across all public transport services, and we look forward to driving the delivery of the many exciting projects that are already underway.

“Over the next few years we will oversee the next stage of the Metrolink expansion to Oldham, Rochdale, Chorlton, Droylsden and MediaCityUK, and anticipated improvements to facilities at Salford Central, Salford Crescent and Victoria railway stations.

“We will press to ensure that the area benefits to the full from the government’s national rail rolling stock plan, and we will develop new robust and accountable relationships with bus operators using our new powers under the Local Transport Act.

“And, looking to the longer term, we will work with Network Rail and others to finally address the problems of rail congestion through the Manchester Hub.”