Multi-million pound electric bus boost for Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is set to receive a multi-million pound investment for dozens of new electric buses to help improve air quality across the city-region.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has successfully bid for £5.4 million government funding to part-fund 23 new electric buses and charging infrastructure, helping to cut down on harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate emissions.

The buses will be used on the successful Vantage service running on the Leigh – Salford – Manchester busway, and the Manchester city centre free bus network.

Three Greater Manchester bus operators – Stagecoach, First and Manchester Community Transport – have also been awarded part-funding for a total of 47 new electric buses.

The Department for Transport’s Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme aims to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission buses (ULEB), and support the improvement of local air quality.

Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said: “This is good news for Greater Manchester’s bus passengers, who can now look forward to seeing even more modern, environmentally-friendly electric buses on our roads, in place of more polluting vehicles.

“Some buses contribute heavily to poor air quality, a problem that affects us all – but in particular the poorest and most vulnerable in society – and which contributes to the equivalent of 1,200 deaths every year in Greater Manchester.

“Buses have an essential role to play in that, which is why we’re working towards having a zero-emission bus fleet – and today’s funding announcement is another step in reaching that ambitious goal.”

Greater Manchester has a strong track record of taking advantage of available funding to upgrade the local bus fleet, targeting areas with poor air quality.

Following TfGM’s successful £3 million bid to the DfT Clean Bus Technology Fund last year, £1.87 million has been allocated to bus operators to retrofit 110 vehicles with pollution control equipment technology to reduce harmful NO2 tailpipe emissions. An estimated further 60 vehicles are to follow.

Prior to this, TfGM successfully bid to the ‘Clean Air for Schools’ programme to have its diesel Yellow School Buses retrofitted with similar equipment.

Today’s funding announcement complements Greater Manchester’s development of a Clean Air Plan to tackle Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at the roadside.

To support any future Clean Air Plan, Andy Burnham has written to the Secretary of State for the Environment on behalf of Greater Manchester local authorities to ask for more early funding for the replacement and/or retrofit of buses which contribute to the city-region’s air quality problem.

There are nearly 2,000 buses running in Greater Manchester and around 350 currently have environmentally-friendly Euro VI engines. A further estimated 1,260 vehicles have Euro IV and V engines that could be retrofitted with clean technology to reduce emissions, while the remaining older vehicles cannot be retrofitted.

Twice the trams, half the wait

Tameside tram travellers are set for a welcome boost with the number of services on the Ashton line to double next week.

From Monday 28 January, trams will run every six minutes on the line instead of the current 12, doubling capacity.

The move will halve the average waiting time to just three minutes, making Metrolink a more attractive transport option and enabling more people to access leisure, educational, cultural and employment opportunities.

Boosting the number of services to meet demand supports the aims of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s ‘Congestion Deal’. Launched last year, the deal includes a series of measures to offer people more choice in their transport options and incentivise them to change their travel behaviour.

Encouraging more people to take up tram travel will also contribute towards the aims of the region’s Clean Air Plan. The plan is currently under development and will set out how we can tackle harmful levels of roadside air pollution across the city-region.

Mayor Andy Burnham said: “With extra capacity, reduced waiting times and a simpler and more flexible zonal ticketing system, it’s now easier than ever for communities in Tameside and east Manchester to use the tram.

“Congestion and air quality are two of the biggest issues facing the region and, by introducing measures such as this that reinforce Metrolink as a strong alternative to the car, we are working to tackle them head-on.

“The extra trams also complement the development of the new interchange at Ashton-under-Lyne – due to open in 2020 – which further supports the work we are doing to ensure we have a world-class, fit-for-the-future public transport network across Greater Manchester.”

Tameside Council Executive Leader Cllr Brenda Warrington said: “This is fantastic news and will make it even easier and more convenient for everyone – from local residents, students and workers to shoppers visiting the borough – to take the tram. It also supports our wider work to promote more sustainable travel.

“This investment comes at a great time for Ashton as we finalise our once in a generation Vision Tameside programme creating a new college and library, and look forward with excitement to the building of the Ashton Transport Interchange.”

Many hands to make light work of major change to Metrolink network

Hundreds of extra staff will be on hand to help usher in the biggest customer-facing change ever made to Metrolink.

On Sunday (13 January), a new zonal system will launch, providing simpler, more convenient and flexible fares that will make using the network easier than ever.

The move is a key step towards a more integrated ticketing system for the region and brings Metrolink in line with many other European tram networks.

Although easier to use, extra staff will be at all 93 stops on Sunday morning, as well at key stops on subsequent days to help customers and answer any questions they have.

TfGM’s Customer Director Stephen Rhodes, said: “We’ve been working tirelessly to get ready for zonal, which is undoubtedly the single biggest change we’ve made that will affect – for the better – the vast majority of Metrolink customers.

“Although it will make buying a ticket and using the network simpler, we want to ensure we’ve got plenty of staff on hand to help customers as this change beds-in.

“That’s why there’ll be extra staff, myself included, at all 93 stops on Sunday and at key locations on the following days and I’d encourage anyone who is unsure about the zonal system to come and speak to us – after all, that is what we’ll be there for.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said: “Transport was a one of my biggest focuses last year and will continue to be one of my top priorities in 2019.

“The introduction of zonal fares – which will be followed in the coming months with contactless ticketing – is the next step towards delivering the modern, integrated transport system we need in Greater Manchester.

“A zonal system is easy to understand and offers people better value for money, giving people the freedom to enjoy more journeys for the same price.

“Earlier this week we published our Transport 2040 delivery plan listing 65 projects that we will seek to prioritise over the next five years. I am committed to prioritising projects which encourage people to change how they commute and reduce use of the car, including new train stations, two new Metrolink stops, as well as boosting parking capacity at existing sites.

“New thinking on integrated transport is crucial if we are to help people change how they move around, bring levels of road congestion under control and achieve our legal obligations to clean up our air.”

Further information about the zones and fares can be found at www.tfgm.com/zones.

Greater Manchester apprentices can now save more than £300 on the cost of their commute

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have launched a new public transport offer for apprentices, potentially saving them more than £300 on Metrolink and bus travel across the region.

The deal sees eligible apprentices receiving a free 28-day System One travel pass, followed by significant discounts on the next three 28-day passes that they buy.

Previously, apprentices were only entitled to four weeks’ free travel, with no further discounts, so the new scheme offers even better value for money.

Councillor Sean Fielding, GMCA lead on Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “Growing the quality and quantity of apprenticeships is a priority for Greater Manchester so we can meet the skills gap.

“We want to make sure it’s a place where everyone can get on in life and get into work, whatever their circumstances, background or aspirations.

“We know that cost is often a major barrier for those considering an apprenticeship. They don’t routinely receive discounted tickets and therefore have to spend a significant proportion of their wage on their commute.

“By offering 16 weeks of free and reduced price tickets we’re continuing our commitment to increase the number of people taking part in apprenticeships.
“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills, earn a wage and achieve a qualification while also gaining real-world experience.”

For those who prefer their commute on two wheels, TfGM and the GMCA also offer a free refurbished bike, cycle training and bike maintenance courses to help apprentices on their way.

Anna Collins, TfGM’s Head of Sustainable Journeys, said: “We offer a wide range of incentives and practical support to encourage sustainable travel.

“Alongside our offer to apprentices, we have a similar scheme for jobseekers with free day passes to interviews and, after they’ve got a job, free and reduced price tickets over a 16-week period.

“We work to encourage sustainable travel in a range of organisations across Greater Manchester, offering grants to pay for facilities or equipment, advice and guidance, regular workshops and self-help toolkits.”

Three new cycling and walking projects announced across Greater Manchester

The latest high-profile projects to be built as part of Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking master plan will be considered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) next week.

Three new projects have today been put forward for funding. If approved, it would see around £5.7 million provided from the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund with a further £15.1 million coming from council contributions.

The latest projects bring the total planned spend on cycling and walking across Greater Manchester to around £67 million. A total of 24 confirmed projects so far will deliver 144 new and upgraded crossings and junctions as well as 26 miles of new cycling and walking routes.

This includes nine miles of Dutch-style cycle lanes that are separated from motor traffic.

Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “We’ve now got some fantastic schemes in the pipeline and we want to fast-track works as much as possible to kick-start Greater Manchester’s transformation into a cleaner and greener city-region.

“We know that all councils are now working on further schemes and I’d encourage people to keep in touch with their local authority to find out and feed in to what’s planned in their areas. In the New Year, we’ll be publishing the second draft of our network map that will reflect the thousands of comments we’ve had from local people. The map will then be used in collaboration with the districts to help us prioritise future schemes.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I’ve seen the difference that cycling and walking infrastructure makes to cities like Copenhagen and New York. This is about enhancing neighbourhoods so that they work for people, making trips on foot and by bike the most attractive and easy way to travel.

“Well done to all Greater Manchester councils on the schemes proposed so far and we look forward to many more being put forward in the New Year.”

The three new proposed projects are:

• Trafford Road, Salford: This scheme features one mile of new footway level cycle track, a parallel walking route, six upgraded junctions where cyclists are fully protected from motor traffic, plus eight bus stop bypasses. The project, which will also provide increased capacity for motor traffic, is expected to cost in the region of £19.8 million with £4.8 million from the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, £10.5m from the Government's Growth Deal and £4.5m from Salford City Council.

• Gidlow/Swinley, Wigan: This scheme involves improving on-foot access to the Gidlow/Swinley area north of Wigan town centre and includes around 30 new pedestrian crossing points. The project is expected to cost in the region of £700,000, including a £20,000 contribution from Wigan Council.

• Bridgewater canal improvements, Astley, Wigan: The project involves 0.75 miles of surface improvements as well as better access and signage, plugging a vital gap in the Bridgewater Way, Astley area. The project is expected to cost in the region of £250,000, including contributions of £37,000 from Wigan Council and £25,000 from the Bridgewater Canal Company.

To find out more about cycling and walking in Greater Manchester, visit tfgm.com/made-to-move.

Commuters urged to plan ahead this Wednesday

Commuters are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of Wednesday night (5 December) as roads in and out of the city centre are expected to be much busier than usual.

On Wednesday night, Manchester United take on Arsenal in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford. Coupled with the ongoing improvement work taking place on the Manchester and Salford Inner Relief Route and many more people now visiting the Christmas Markets, journeys could take longer during the evening peak.

Those able to should consider using public transport, travelling outside of the evening peak or simply staying in the city centre to do a bit of festive shopping or savouring a mulled wine or two at the Christmas Markets.

Also, with no trains operating between Manchester and London after 9.15pm, four supporter coaches will be used by Arsenal to bring some fans up, however, with over 2,500 away tickets sold it’s expected that many more will travel up by car.

To help fans get to the match, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have created a bespoke match travel advice page and will again be trialling free shuttle buses direct to Old Trafford from two new pop-up park and ride sites at the AJ Bell Stadium and Event City, close to the Trafford Centre.

Ryan Carter, Events and Planning lead at TfGM, said: “We have thousands of park and ride spaces available across Greater Manchester, including Sale Water Park, Ladywell and Ashton, all of which help people to avoid getting caught up in traffic on the roads.

“We’d also encourage fans travelling to Old Trafford to also consider using one of our new pop-up sites at the AJ Bell Stadium and Event City as they offer free and direct bus services to the ground.

"For anyone travelling on the night our advice is to follow the TfGM social media channels for real-time up travel information".