GMPTA Chairman welcomes report into Local Transport Bill

Date published: 28 February 2008

A report that calls for the strengthening of the Local Transport Bill has been largely welcomed by the Chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA).

The Institute for Public Policy Research North (IPPR North) today published "Moving On: A Progressive Transport Policy for Northern England’.

It calls for the Local Transport Bill to give Passenger Transport Authorities and Executives firm powers to exercise control over bus and rail services in northern city regions.

The current proposals would require city regions to seek approval from a non-elected quango, the Secretary of State and further legislation.

Roger Jones, Chairman of GMPTA, said: "I welcome the IPPR report and largely support its findings.
"It is good to hear a respected, independent body agreeing that we need more local controls over public transport, particularly the routes and timetables of buses. It’s something we’ve called for for a long time because the current system simply doesn’t work well enough for passengers.

"Overall, the Local Transport Bill is good news for city regions like Greater Manchester. But we need it to give us the right mix of powers to guarantee a truly integrated public transport network of the highest standard.

"Together with the suggestion of reinstating PTAs as signatories on rail franchise agreements, the IPPR’s proposed changes to the Bill would also enable us to provide train and bus timetables that work together and feed each other. I also agree that the city regions need a bigger slice of public transport funding.

"I look forward to a strengthened Local Transport Bill being enacted quickly so that we can deliver the first class public transport services that Greater Manchester’s bus, train and tram users have been asking for."

The Local Transport Bill sets out plans to create a more integrated transport system so that local bus, train and tram services complement rather than compete with each other.

It proposes several changes to local transport planning. They include creating Integrated Transport Authorities in place of Passenger Transport Authorities, which would have a bigger role in co-ordinating transport services.

The Bill has passed through the House of Lords, and is scheduled to have its second reading in Parliament later in the spring.