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ISSUE 274 7 OCTOBER 2022
NEWS, VIEWS AND ANALYSIS FOR A SECTOR ON THE MOVE NEWS
Bee Network will launch on September 17, 2023
Labour pledges to nationalise passenger rail
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Party commits to public ownership
ENVIRONMENT
Bus use would rise if green benefits known
Nine bidders in line for first GM bus franchises Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham announces 50-bus order as bids from nine operators are evaluated ahead of award of first franchises Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced an order for 50 new double deck electric buses and revealed the Bee Network brand that will be rolled out across the region’s bus, tram and eventually rail networks. The order for 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs and Bee Network reveal come as Transport for Greater Manchester confirms receipt of 33 bids from operators vying to run the first franchise contracts. The bids have come from nine different operators and relate to 11 different franchises that will operate across Wigan and Bolton from next September. “The countdown to bringing
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buses back under local control for the first time in 36 years is well and truly on,” said Burnham. “The previous government bought into what we are trying to do, and I underlined the importance of this partnership approach continuing during my meeting with the new transport secretary yesterday.
“The countdown to bringing buses back under local control is well and truly on” Andy Burnham
“By working together, we will realise our ambitions and deliver a network that will transform how people get around our city region not just in the years ahead but for future generations.” The introduction of the first franchises in Wigan and Bolton is due to take place on September 17, 2023. Bids for the first tranche were received by September 9 and the evaluation process is now underway. Eight companies bid for both the large franchises in the two towns, two companies bid for all except one of the small franchises with a further company bidding for one small franchise. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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First Bus data offers travel habits insights
COMMENT
Pay-as-youdrive could be a vote-winner
14
Norman Baker on new survey data
COMMENT
Rail is trapped in a state of paralysis
16
Alex Warner sees a culture of inaction
CAREERS
Byford quits as TfL chief
25
Disillusioned with the ‘brain drain’
05/10/2022 17:09