Bus services in line for £3m windfall

TRANSPORT bosses in Greater Manchester are hoping to kick-start new bus services with a £3 million prize.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) has put forward 12 bus schemes for the Department for Transport’s Kickstart competition — designed to help develop new bus services or improve existing services.

There is £25 million available to local authorities across the country, with GMITA bidding for just over £3 million.

The money is designed to help give bus services an initial boost over their first few years, with the aim that they eventually carry on running without further government funding.

The 12 local schemes, put forward in conjunction with Greater Manchester bus operators, are being kept confidential for commercial reasons until the Government announces which bids have been successful — expected in late autumn.

But all 10 districts could benefit if the proposals, a mix of brand new services and enhanced frequencies for some existing services, are successful.

GMITA chairman, Councillor Keith Whitmore, said: “Bus travel makes for around 80 per cent of public transport trips in Greater Manchester and is continuing to grow.

“It’s important both socially and for the local economy that we take every opportunity to improve services.”

More than 60 schemes were considered before selecting the 12 likely to be the most successful.

Greater Manchester secured £1.1 million funding for three schemes in the last Kickstart competition in 2005.