Member

Finally, I had a call today from the Manchester team. The relationship with the private sector operators is now fully collaborative. The legal stuff is over, and they are now willing partners. The policy relationship includes Go-Ahead, Stagecoach and Metroline as the holders of the biggest franchises. They are using their knowledge to help GMCA deliver more joined-up transport to the people and businesses of Manchester. We can work with them to make rapid changes to improve punctuality and reliability—it is not about public versus private. As a result, patronage is up, punctuality is up and revenue is ahead of forecast. We have also been able to introduce night buses in north Manchester for the first time ever, thanks to the relationship with Go-Ahead. This is a huge help to the night-time economy and gives safer working and cheaper travel for people getting home.