A plan to save dozens of bus services across Greater Manchester is to be signed off by transport bosses this week - but there are fears of a ‘devastating’ impact on the network should it fail. Government funding helped to keep bus services going during the pandemic, as plummeting passenger numbers put their future at risk.
But that emergency cash is set to be pulled from October - and commercial operators in Greater Manchester have identified a raft of unprofitable services they intend to axe completely or run less often. In total operators intend to cut 33 services, while a further 32 services would see reductions in frequency or changes to the route.
A plan to save the routes and maintain service levels as best as possible has been hatched by local leaders - who say failure to act would have ‘significant’ consequences for people who rely on public transport. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is currently working on retendering contracts, using funding from existing budgets and the government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.
