The metro mayor said the “deregulated” bus network had “not been driven by the needs of our communities, but by bus operators’ responsibilities to their shareholders to make a profit… We can only change that and hold the decline if we bring the buses back under the control of the public.”
Greater Manchester leaders back bringing buses under public control
“On balance, it is in the public interest to make the proposed franchising scheme,” TfGM chief executive Eamonn Boylan told GM council leaders, as they gave the green light on re-franchising the city region’s buses.
Andy Burnham will now make the final decision on introducing a London-style franchise system.
Greater Manchester, with over £1bn in stock, has largest pension fund fossil fuel investment in UK
Greater Manchester Pension Fund is the biggest investor by far in fossil fuels of any local government pension scheme in the country. Environmental groups are calling on GMPF to divest from fossil fuels, to help tackle the climate emergency.
Support available for domestic abuse victims in Salford
Victims of domestic abuse in Salford are being reminded that support is available during the lockdown, with more counselling and staff provided to cope with demand.
Pressure grows on Andy Burnham to scrap plans for school-based police officers
Deputy metro mayor Beverley Hughes insists SBPOs will create “positive relationships between young people and the police”. Campaigners say police presence in schools causes “harm”, urging the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to “divest from penal approaches”.
Greater Manchester to proceed with franchising bus network
Bringing buses under public control is ‘better value for money’ for the city region in spite of ‘severe’ impact of Covid-19 on bus patronage and revenues, Greater Manchester leaders hear at a meeting this week.
Manchester’s homelessness charities warn of ‘humanitarian disaster’ after Covid-19 in damning letter to government
Manchester homelessness groups join over 60 others across the country to call for additional funds for local authorities to permanently eradicate homelessness, as Manchester City Council tells The Meteor it needs ‘greater financial support’ from the government to keep people off the streets. Five frontline homelessness groups and charities operating in Manchester have joined more […]
Campaigners cheer bold proposals for 100km Covid-19 ‘pop up’ cycle network
Proposals to install more than 100 km of ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes across Greater Manchester are welcomed by campaign group WalkRide. The plans, if implemented, will enable more people to travel safely during the Covid-19 crisis, and will keep pollution, congestion, and emission levels low. Walk Ride Greater Manchester today welcomed news that leaders are planning […]
Mayor Andy Burnham announces plans to make Greater Manchester a ‘Co-operative Zone’
Making progress on his previous promise to make Greater Manchester “the most co-operative region in the UK” Andy Burnham releases the report to turn that plan into a reality. Mayor Andy Burnham announced plans to turn Greater Manchester (GM) into a designated ‘Co-operative Zone’, with dedicated resources to offer business advice and support for new […]
Sir Richard Leese says ‘we are open to working with anybody’ – we asked campaign groups what they thought (pt.3)
In response to a recent blog post by Sir Richard Leese, we’ve been asking local groups to share their experiences of working Manchester City Council. Sir Richard Leese says the council are open to working with any parties interested in environmental and development issues. The following article by Pete Abel of Manchester Friends of the […]