A bus operator which lost a legal battle to stop mayor Andy Burnham taking buses in Greater Manchester back under public control is appealing the ruling. Rotala, which owns Diamond, has lodged an application to the Court of Appeal.
It comes after a judicial review brought by bus firms Stagecoach and Rotala, who claimed Burnham's bid to move to a franchising system where operators have to bid to run services under public control, was 'irrational' and 'unlawful'. However, the judge ruled the decision and the process followed were lawful.
The first phase of the new franchising scheme is set to start in Wigan and Bolton by autumn 2023 and rolled out to the rest of the city-region in 2024. Burnham announced adult fares for single journeys will be capped at £2 and £1 for children under the new system in which all buses will be one uniform colour.
