MANCHESTER'S bus service is in chaos, the city council leader has admitted.
Sir Richard Leese said buses were failing commuters and had been ever since Margaret Thatcher's government brought about deregulation 20 years ago.
He said: "I think at the moment public transport in Greater Manchester is in a mess."
Sir Richard says he regularly uses public transport, as well as his car and bike, in the city and knows what people have to put up with.
"It's completely unworkable and it's going to cost an awful lot of people their jobs in the future if we don't do something soon," he said.
"When I talk to people about the problems, they want a system that's fair and a system that will keep people in work."
He said the government is looking at ways to give councils more powers over the bus system.
"One very welcome announcement from the Secretary of State for Transport is that he is now considering that we will have the powers to make sure we can have a properly planned transport system," he said.
Power
But he warned: "Even if we get the power over the buses so we can control timetables and routes, it will still be the case that in six or seven years from now congestion will still be growing in a way that could harm our economy."
He said by 2020 the council predicts we could lose 15,000 jobs.
"Manchester will simply grind to a halt in the next six or seven years if we don't take some form of action," he claimed.
When asked if a congestion charge would pay for Manchester's promised Metrolink extension, he said: "The government's made it very clear they want a road pricing system and we have been invited to come up with ideas.
"We think this is better than having a road pricing system that doesn't necessarily suit our city imposed on us."
He said a consultation period would follow. But asked what congestion charges would involve, he said: "We're not talking about a ring around the M60. It will be more sophisticated."
WHAT do you think of Sir Richard's comments? Have your say.
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John, Cheshire (14/11/2006 at 14:09)
Chris, Manchester (14/11/2006 at 15:26)
Louise, Ashton (14/11/2006 at 15:58)
Geoff Kerr, Todmorden (14/11/2006 at 16:02)
High fares, constantly-changing timetables and chaotic ticketing have all failed passengers, including many of the poorer members of society.
Presumably our European neighbours, who have high-quality integrated buses, trains and trams, knew this when they declined to copy us.
The situation in the city is an environmental disaster and a terrible advertisement for Britain.
Why has a so-called Labour Government taken nearly 10 years to propose action?
cHRIS, sALFORD (14/11/2006 at 17:19)
markyboy, manchester (14/11/2006 at 20:01)
99% of the bus travelling public have known this for years, so it doesnt take a career politician to point out the obvious does it?????.
what we need NOW is the bus services re-regulated under the control of a brand new passenger authority, this will give us the people who pay for the present gmpte, time to root out the deadwood within this authority?.
Ray Wilkes, Shipley Yorks (15/11/2006 at 09:46)
Manchester needs Park and Ride combined with city car parks charged ont eh basis of land values with prefenrece to short stay drivers and at least ¿¿15 per day for commuters.
Then enforced bus lanes would ensure buses could deliver
Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (15/11/2006 at 10:29)
It's just a comedy of errors left right and centre and everybody suffers at the expense of profits and shareholders ie the bus companies!
michael, salford (15/11/2006 at 11:47)
Elaine, Manchester (15/11/2006 at 12:50)
Matthew Forth, Harrogate (16/11/2006 at 22:43)
1. The Pteg belive franchising routes like TfL will increase bus usage. I question this motive as it's far too costly, and may not work. Just becuase it works in London does not mean QC's (Quality Contracts) will work elsewhere.
2. They also belive rail and ride service are better for conurbations. Because - yes, you've guessed it! - London does have it. Bus park and ride will work better if you ask me, as it is far more versatile than a rail based park and ride system. The PTE who is doing a proper job is Metro (West Yorkshire). They are keeping thier head down, by working with bus operators. I haven't heard them lobbying for regulation.
Don't bring politicians or bureaucrats into public transport, they don't use it and are out of touch with the public. Buses should be left to real busmen (or buswomen), people who have more experience on the buses than a bureaucrat. We should be looking to the future for buses not the past!!
Lastly, try to realise the privatisation is a different thing, in London the buses are regulated, but the operators are private,thats why I believe QC's are a mess. Frequently you heard the different routes going up for re-tender and there is a chance it will pass to another operator. Whats the point! TfL should stop franchsing routes. It serves no logic.