GMPTA identified that delivering the best possible public transport network for Greater Manchester was a significant challenge. GMPTA identified that over the past year, reliability and punctuality on the local rail network had continued to be unacceptably poor. In addition, the Authority would still like to have seen improvements in reliability in local bus services. Despite this, over the past 12 months GMPTA, through GMPTE made the following key achievements:

• Successful delivery of transport for spectators to and from the XVII Commonwealth Games venues.
• Successful completion of negotiations with Government to secure funding for the expansion of the Metrolink network, and shortlisting of two potential operators for the new system.
• Continued pressure for a better deal for Greater Manchester’s bus passengers through the publication of the Greater Manchester Bus Strategy.
• Continued work to increase the number of bus passengers. Passenger numbers in the County are climbing, with 223 million bus journeys made in 2002.
• Launch of a trial of new dedicated school bus services to better address parents’ safety and security concerns and encourage more trips to school by bus.
• Launch of Metroshuttle, a new free bus network in Manchester city centre.
• Funding of a series of minor improvements at bus and rail stations across the County and the continued upgrading of Metrolink stations on the Bury-Altrincham line.
• Installation of 21 kilometres of Quality Bus Corridors across the County.
• Installation of a network of electronic public transport information points across the County.

2003/4

Challenges & Achievements: 2003/4

GMPTA identified that delivering the best possible public transport network for Greater Manchester was a significant challenge. The public continued to tell GMPTA that the punctuality and reliability of local bus services was not good enough, including that on the services the Authority subsidised, and the Authority was challenging bus operators to improve their service. Despite this, over the past 12 months, with its partners, GMPTA, through GMPTE made the following key achievements:

• Continued work to increase the number of bus passengers. Passenger numbers in the County are climbing, with 229 million bus journeys made in 2003;
• Extended our pilot Yellow School Bus services to a third school in Tameside;
• Established two new ‘Local Link’ transport services in Salford and Hulme;
• Established a Police Public Transport Unit in Wigan as part of a 1 year pilot to help reduce crime and antisocial behaviour on and around buses and improve passenger perceptions of personal security;
• Managed a successful trial park and ride service for Christmas shoppers visiting Manchester city centre;
• Introduced and widely promoted the extension of concessionary fares to all men over 60;
• Opened a new bus station as part of the new Manchester Airport Ground Transport Interchange;
• Produced a comprehensive Railplan, setting out a programme of investment in station and service improvements;
• Provided new or extended commuter car parks in Marple, Stockport and Horwich, Bolton.

2004/5

Challenges & Achievements: 2004/5

The public continued to express their concerns about the punctuality and reliability of the local bus network in parts of the county. GMPTA continued to challenge operators to improve their performance and to work with them to improve operating conditions for buses. GMPTA also faced delays in the introduction of a new smartcard ticketing system.

In 2004/5 GMPTA, through GMPTE:

• Completed a new bus station at Hyde;
• Made significant progress in developing a new Transport Interchange at Shudehill in • Manchester City Centre and a new bus station at Middleton;
• Commenced the introduction of real time information equipment at bus stops throughout the conurbation;
• Introduced “Rail Speech” - an innovative phone-based information system for rail passengers;
• Extended the opening hours of GMPTE Travelshops to provide information and tickets to passengers at more convenient times;
• Increased staffing levels at a number of bus stations to improve perceptions of safety and security;
• Began a programme to install up to 1000 additional bus shelters across Greater Manchester;
• Expanded the Nightbus network to areas of Bolton and Trafford;
• Extended our network of Yellow School Buses;
• Improved parking facilities at Greenfield Station and at stops on the Metrolink network;
• Published a new Customer Charter, setting out how people can raise comments on public transport services.

2005/6

Challenges & Achievements: 2005/6

GMPTA continued to challenge operators to improve their performance and to work with them to improve operating conditions. In addition, the Authority continued to work with a range of partners to deliver improvements.

In 2005/6 GMPTA, through GMPTE:

• Completed a new Transport Interchange at Shudehill in Manchester city centre and a new bus station at Middleton;
• Extended passenger facilities at Eccles Interchange;
• Ensured that all our bus stations meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act;
• Started a programme to install up to 2,000 new shelters at bus stops across Greater Manchester;
• Introduced a third Metroshuttle service in Manchester city centre;
• Established a new ‘Local Link’ service in the Tonge and Breightmet areas of Bolton;
• Expanded the scale of ‘Yellow School Bus’ operations from 16 to 29 vehicles;
• Extended the range of the Bolton, Wigan and Manchester Nightbus networks;
• Introduced a text message-based, 24-hour bus timetable information service;
• Expanded facilities at Horwich Parkway and Hindley rail stations;
• Secured European funding to support the refurbishment of Salford Central rail station;
• Opened up Cornbrook Metrolink interchange for street- level access; and
• Introduced improved car-parking and other facilities at Besses o’th Barn and Crumpsall Metrolink stops.

2006/7

Challenges & Achievements: 2006/7

GMPTA continued to work with a range of partners to deliver specific improvements on the ground.

Key achievements in 2006/7 included:

• The completion of an upgrade to Bolton bus station providing interchange facilities for bus and rail passengers;
• Opening a “Police Point” office at Bury Interchange to reassure the travelling public of their safety and deter anti-social behaviour and criminal acts;
• Establishing a new travel training scheme in Bury to assist people with learning difficulties to use public transport;
• Opening a new transport information centre – GMPTE Online – in Manchester city centre providing information about bus, train and tram services and upcoming public transport developments;
• Completing a new extension to the bus station in Oldham, providing a modern, safe, secure and comfortable environment for passengers;
• Introducing 15 more ‘Yellow School Bus’ services at schools across Greater Manchester;
• Opening a new Travelshop opposite Eccles Interchange;
• Starting the multi million pound refurbishment of Salford Central rail station;
• Delivering an innovative new busway which significantly reduces bus journey times without affecting other traffic in Stockport town centre;
• Commencing refurbishment works at Stalybridge Rail Station;
• Opening new park and ride facilities at Whitefield Metrolink stop to encourage, and make it easier for, people to access the tram network;
• Improving passenger shelter facilities at Altrincham Interchange;
• Launching an initiative to tackle vandalism and anti-social behaviour at bus shelters in Greater Manchester by fitting CCTV in the worst affected shelters in the county;
• Funding a new “patrol and response” scheme to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on Greater Manchester’s bus network; and
• Launching a new initiative in December 2006 for tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on the Metrolink system.

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