Greater Manchester will cap bus fares at £2 (US$2.61) for adults and £1 for children as part of a shake-up of public transport in the UK city. It follows a landmark ruling at the Royal Courts of Justice last week which sided with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham over his plans to bring buses back under public control.
Two operators – Stagecoach and Rotala – had launched a legal challenge against the move, claiming the franchising proposal was flawed. But a judge ruled the plan was lawful, meaning Greater Manchester will become the first city-region outside London where the local authority can set fares, timetables and services.
“The court ruling means we now have the green light to deliver on our plans to deliver a London-style public transport system,” said Burnham. “We will make travelling by public transport more appealing, easier and, significantly, put our people before profits. Government has signalled its intention to support our ambitions many times over and we now need them to work in partnership with us, to help us turn our shared vision into a reality.”
The move would mean cheaper prices and more clarity for passengers, who currently travel on a bus system run by 30 operators with 150 different ticket types.