Agenda item

Joanne Betts, Bury Council’s Strategic Transport Lead presented a report from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) on progress in delivering the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s plan for a high-quality, affordable and fully integrated public transport and active travel system for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.

The update between August and November included information on:-

• Industrial action
• The Local Transport Plan update
• Simpler and fairer rail fares
• Bee Network improvements including:
• A new and enhanced 24/7 TravelSafe LiveChat
• The next phase of the concessionary bus travel trial
• The new hourly night buses services on the 135 route between Manchester and Bury on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
• Bury Interchange and
• Network Patronage and Performance

Joanne commented that of the 1,300 staff at TfGM, the majority are not striking and remaining staff are working hard to minimise the impact of this action on passengers and communities, building on experiences and insight from the first strike days.

From Sunday the 7^th December, rail fares across Greater Manchester would become simpler, as a range of fares are replaced with just two simple options for everyone who buys a ticket on the day, which are:- Anytime and Off-peak. Greater Manchester will be one of the first areas in the country to benefit from this type of rail fare reform. It also marks an important first step towards integrating rail into the Bee Network from 2026 onwards, paving the way for contactless (Pay as you go) and fare capping across bus, tram and train.

A new and enhanced 24/7 TravelSafe LiveChat allowing passengers to discreetly report criminal or antisocial behaviour on public transport had been launched as part of ongoing efforts to make passengers safe, and feel safe, while travelling on the Bee Network. Building on the existing LiveChat managed by Greater Manchester Police, people can now report issues via the Bee Network app, connecting them to police call handlers. When someone uses the new service, they will be connected to a real person who can provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The next phase of the concessionary bus travel trial went ahead to help TFGM to further assess the impact of lifting the 9.30am restriction for those with a TfGM-issued concessionary travel pass (approximately 400,000 older and disabled people in GM). This phase of the trial takes place in what is traditionally the busiest month on the network and follows an earlier phase in August. At the conclusion of the trial, the evidence gathered during it, including  passenger feedback, patronage and pass usage, would be assessed before a decision is made on whether the move can be made permanent.

Two new hourly night buses services were launched in September. The 135 (Manchester – Prestwich – Bury) and the 17/17a (Manchester – Middleton – Rochdale) connects Bury and Rochdale town centres with Manchester city centre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

From the 1^st September, around 150,000 18–21-year-olds in Greater Manchester are able to apply for a half-price 28-day bus travelcard (priced at £40, half the price of the equivalent adult fare).

Bury Interchange – The planning application to create a new southern access to Metrolink (including a footbridge, lift and stairs) was approved by Bury Council on the 22^nd July, with associated applications for a temporary northern access and temporary construction compound approved in September. Detailed design for this first phase of works is well underway. Outline design for the main interchange and potential residential development is complete to progress to the next stage of design development.

As part of the ongoing programme of maintenance and renewal works across the Metrolink network there has been work on the Bury line to replace beams in the Whitefield Tunnel. This work was delayed due to the discovery of bats in the tunnel but was completed in late October.

Following the completion of work to address overhanging trees on Moor Lane in Salford, Bee Network bus services 93 and 95 had returned to their normal route along Kersal Road. Councillor Green reported this had been a major problem in her ward and asked if the problem could be anticipated again for next year.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.