Quality pledge on busiest bus route

the busiest bus route in Britain is to become the exclusive preserve of “quality” operators.

More than 10 million passengers a year use the 192 service on the A6 between Stockport and Manchester and it has become so famous that there is even an album of songs devoted to it.

Oldham has its own quality bus corridor between Lees and Manchester, though there is not yet a partnership scheme attached to it.

Three public bodies — Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, and Manchester and Stockport Councils — are now preparing to designate the route a Quality Partnership Scheme which will create priority for buses along the nine-mile route . . . but only for operators who sign up to pledges on punctuality, reliability, and standards.

The scheme will be overseen by the Traffic Commissioner who can punish operators who fail to keep up to the standards.

Formal consultation will start next month and it could be operating by May next year.

To use the facilities, bus companies must promise to run 98 per cent of their timetabled services and operate 95 per cent on time with 80 per cent no more than a minute early or six minutes late half way along the route. In return the three authorities promise minimum standards for bus stops and bus lanes along the route.

The plan is designed to protect operators from traffic jams to make them more attractive to car drivers. It is due to be approved by GMITA on Friday.