Transport for Greater Manchester has launched an eight-week consultation with bus operators on a new quality partnership scheme which would come into effect alongside a £122million bus priority package for key corridors linking Leigh, Atherton, Salford, Middleton and East Didsbury with Manchester.

TfGM says bus operators and other stakeholders are being asked for their views on plans to ensure that passengers are guaranteed the highest quality of service once the bus priority package is delivered.

“The partnership will lock in quality standards on the main routes operating along the QPS corridors,” says Andrew Fender, chair of the TfGM Committee. “It will mean high standards of service delivery and commits bus operators to high quality vehicle standards.

“We have committed to passengers by investing public money in the infrastructure and we are pledging to maintain the quality of that in future in return for a similar promise from operators about the quality and standard of service they will provide.”

The QPS will be one of the largest in the UK, will span four local authorities and cover approximately 50 bus routes operating along the three principal corridors into Manchester city centre.

The routes covered by the QPS include: A580 East Lancashire Road/A6 Chapel Street (Ellenbrook to Manchester city centre), including A577 Tyldesley Road (Atherton to Tyldesley) and A572 Spinning Jenny Way (Leigh Bus Station to guided busway); A664 Rochdale Road / Manchester New Road (Middleton to Manchester city centre); and Oxford Road / Wilmslow Road (East Didsbury to Manchester city centre).

If the consultation is successful, the QPS will be introduced once the majority of the bus priority infrastructure has been delivered. 

The bus priority package, including the changes to Oxford Road, is due to be completed in 2016, subject to confirmation of final approvals.

www.tfgm.com/buspriority

Courtesy - busandcoach.com