Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) analysis has shown that its £122m Bus Priority Programme has facilitated a modal shift to bus travel in the region.
Developed and delivered between 2007 and 2017 by TfGM in partnership with Wigan, Manchester, Salford and Rochdale councils, the programme focused on three key routes connecting to Manchester city centre: the Leigh Guided Busway, Rochdale Road and Oxford Road.
Monitored since its launch, an evaluation report went to the Bee Network Committee May 29.
Reportedly, the scheme has seen average morning journey times between Leigh and Manchester reduced by more than a quarter – from 65 minutes in 2013, to less than 50 minutes.
Survey evidence also indicates that bus patronage more than doubled with up to 25% of passengers switching from car to bus travel, removing more than 600,000 trips per year from our roads since 2017.
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The number of serious or fatal collisions on the Leigh to Manchester city centre bus route, including the A580 East Lancs Road (which the busway joins after Ellenbrook), and Oxford Road, has also dropped.
Greater Manchester’s transport commissioner Vernon Everitt said: “This evaluation report demonstrates the positive impact for residents of investment in high quality public transport to deliver safe, frequent and reliable services.
“These schemes have enabled better access to homes, jobs, healthcare, education and to leisure destinations and further improvements have recently been delivered with the creation of the Bee Network, including the introduction of night buses to support workers and the night time economy.
“Affordability of public transport has also been transformed. As a result of bringing buses under local control, fares have been reduced and held at £2 for an adult Hopper – enabling customers to change buses within an hour of their first tap without having to pay more – and delivering more convenient ‘Tap and Go’ contactless payment which guarantees the lowest fare.”
Achievements in public transport planning will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
