(Alliance News) - Stagecoach Group PLC on Friday noted Greater Manchester Combined Authority's recommendation that the authority proceed with its proposed bus franchising scheme.
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, GMCA chose to re-evaluate its previously announced bus reform proposals and has ultimately recommended proceeding with a bus franchising scheme by conducting public consultation between December 2 and January 29.
The recommendation is to be considered at a GMCA meeting on Friday next week.
Stagecoach Chief Executive Martin Griffiths said: "The pandemic has had a significant impact on all public transport networks across the country, regardless of how these systems are structured. The key lesson has been the positive impact from government, local authorities and public transport operators working in partnership to deliver the vital services that customers and communities need in very challenging circumstances.
"We believe there is a major opportunity to build on this strong collaboration to put in place new recovery partnerships to rebuild bus networks and attract passengers back. These would provide the framework, funding and flexibility to ensure bus networks coming out of the pandemic meet the changing needs of local communities, get people back to work, and maximise the power of buses to drive a green recovery."
"Recovery partnerships would involve an agreement between local transport authorities and bus operators like Stagecoach working together on a new post-Covid bus network that would include short and long-term measures.
Under a proposal, which bus operators have submitted to the UK Department for Transport, recovery partnerships would be allocated ring-fenced funding aimed at passenger improvements. These partnerships would include clear goals, incentives, and measures of success.
Stagecoach explained: "These partnerships are designed to act as a bridge from the current interim arrangements to a longer-term commercially sustainable system. Recovery Partnerships would have the power to deliver bus priority measures, targeted fares initiatives, funding to kick-start new services, and support for existing community links. This is designed ensure bus services can drive a green recovery from the pandemic, support climate change and clean air targets, and help rebuild town and city centres."
Shares in Stagecoach were up 1.5% at 59.40 pence in London on Friday morning.
By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com
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