Key Transport Policy Issues for 2010

Stephen Clark Deputy Clerk to the Authority

18 January 2010

Introduction

A 20-minute overview of key current issues in the areas of:

• Bus

• Rail

• Metrolink

• Greater Manchester Transport Fund

• Manchester City Centre Transport Strategy

• Local Transport Plan 3

Bus

• Bus is the prime public transport mode, carrying around 220 million people per year

• Approach adopted by Authority to work in partnership with bus operators to get improvements we need, including: – More stable network– Higher standards– Simpler fares and ticketing structures

• Investment in cross city bus corridor, consultation took place in the Autumn, GMPTE now refining the scheme in light of responses.

• Budgets under pressure, especially the Subsidised Bus Budget and these likely to become more intense through the rest of the year.

• No proposals to change concessionary fare system

RailFranchise re-specification

• The 3 main rail franchises in Greater Manchester will expire in 2012 and 2013.

• Work begins this year to decide what we want from the new franchises.

• Opportunity now to influence how the network will operate for at least the next 7 years.

RailRolling Stock and

Electrification

• Rail patronage into Manchester has increased by 113% over last 12 years.

• As a result many services experience overcrowding in the peaks

• DfT announced 182 vehicles for Northern Rail and 42 for Trans Pennine Express, but has gradually reduced these numbers

• Lord Adonis has announced the electrification of the Liverpool to Manchester line, as well as lines to Preston and Blackpool

• This will allow for new electric trains as well as freeing up existing diesel trains.

• But electrification is not a short term solution and we must continue to lobby Government for additional rolling stock

RailManchester Hub

• Manchester acts as a cross roads for much of the rail network in the north of England, and the current infrastructure cannot cope.

• This is causing a bottleneck which means that the economy cannot grow as much as it should.

• Network Rail are carrying out a study into the investment necessary to improve the Hub

• Greater Manchester must make the case to the Government to fund these improvements

MetrolinkModernising the current

system

New tram vehicles to complement existing fleet

Stop improvements:

• lighting • passenger information • new ticket machines

Recent city centre track renewals and improved city centre stop facilities

New depot construction at Old Trafford

MetrolinkPhase 3a expansion

£600 million expansion project underway

Will double the size of network - 32km of new line and 27 new stops

Expected to increase daily trips from 55,000 to over 90,000 and save 5 million car trips per year

New lines will open between 2011 and 2012

GM Transport Fund

Agreed by AGMA and GMITA in May 2009

Designed to deliver a number of key investment schemes that best support the long-term growth of the city region

Fund comprises a range of existing funding elements (present to 2018/19), which are to be pooled for investment:

• Regional Funding Allocation (£448m)• Local Transport Plan contribution (£147m)• Increased local authority levy for GMITA (for fund borrowing

of £649m over 30 years)• Other contributions (£291m)

Total fund size: £1.535m

GM Transport FundFour key elements of the GMTF investment package will be fast-tracked for delivery by 2013:

• Metrolink extension from Chorlton to East Didsbury• Metrolink extension from Droylsden to Ashton• Cross City bus system• New Park and Ride schemes

Remaining GMTF funding is to deliver by 2016: • Metrolink into Oldham and Rochdale town centres• Metrolink to Manchester Airport (and second city centre line)• New Interchanges at Altrincham and Bolton• Leigh Guided Busway• Local rail stations improvement package• Plus SEMMMS Road Scheme, Mottram Bypass/Glossop spur, Ashton

Northern Bypass Stage 2 and Wigan Inner Relief Road

Manchester City Centre Transport Strategy

Developed in partnership with Manchester City Council

Sets out transport strategy to support future growth in the city centre, including:

• GMTF investment schemes, Manchester Hub rail investment and future transport interchange options

• Improvements to local highway system

• Investment to support cycling and walking

Consultation on the Strategy is now open until 22 March 2010

3rd Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (2011/2 to

2015/6)Statutory document to be published by the ITA in partnership with GM authorities by end March 2011

LTP 3 will set out:• transport investment plan for

2011 to 2016 • longer-term transport strategy

for city region to support Greater Manchester growth strategy

Consultation on a draft strategy will take place in Summer 2010