Metro to bus link vital

FEARS have been raised that buses and trams are not being linked up to give passengers a smooth journey when Metrolink comes to Oldham.

Oldham MEP Chris Davies has criticised transport chiefs for not holding talks to arrange the integration of the tram and bus network to ensure travellers can easily hop from one to the other.

The Lib-Dem Euro MP has written to Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) chairman Councillor Keith Whitmore urging him to intervene and persuade Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) to hold meetings with bus companies.

Trams are on track from Oldham Mumps in the autumn of 2011 and then to run along Union Street from 2014.

Mr Davies said: “With hundreds of millions of pounds being spent on developing the Metrolink system across Greater Manchester it is essential that we secure the maximum degree of integration between trams and buses.

“Our aim should be to encourage greatest possible use of public transport and to ensure that arrangements are as convenient as possible for passengers to alight from a tram and step onto a bus to complete their journeys.

“We need to discuss with the operators how bus services might be adjusted better to coincide with tram stops and perhaps be rescheduled to meet the requirements of passengers using both means of transport.

“In planning the construction of tram stops we need to consider what other work must be done in terms of road layout or physical structures to ensure that they can provide a convenient interchange with buses.”

While Mr Davies acknowledges that bus operators are private companies and cannot be told how to operate, in most situations trams and buses can complement each other well and bus operators are happy to hold talks.

However, he says GMPTE has not arranged any meetings with the principal bus operator, FirstGroup, to discuss a voluntary partnership and chief executive David Leather has told him it’s important proposals are developed with the council first.

But Oldham Council leader Councillor Howard Sykes backs Mr Davies’ view that talks should be happening from the very beginning.

Mr Davies added: “It is arrogant and short-sighted for GMPTE not to be trying to develop voluntary partnerships with the major bus operators to promote more integrated public transport. It cannot be in the best interests of travellers.

“I do wonder if the reason is political. The bus industry was deregulated more than 20 years ago and yet it appears that GMPTE has still not come to terms with this reality. It wants to control, yet as it has no such powers it prefers to keep bus operators at arms’ length even when this is to the detriment of the public.”

GMPTE did not respond to requests to comment.