Manchester Bus Franchising

[Rodney259]

RE: Manchester Bus Franchising

(26/06/2019 23:45)gilesbus1 Wrote:  Its not as off topic as you might think, TfGM will own much of the infrastructure, if some reports are to be believed, e.g. the construction of ten new bus depots in each local authority area to be owned by TfGM and let to various successful tenderer's, then there is the story that they will be able to pick the type of new buses they want for a specific route no matter what company, e.g. If they want Volvo B5LH's with Wright Gemini bodies for the 50 then that's what the 50 will get, so that's fairly close to doing everything only employing drivers and operating the services and maintaining the buses, TfGM will own and control all the infrastructure. How fanciful that is remains to be seen.

A Corbin Government would change things he would allow Councils and he has already stated that to operate there own buses, obviously there is an opportunity right now to buy all the Manchester services of Arriva and FirstGroup that are for sale in any case, and just franchise others out. That would give substantial proportions of operations in the Borough's of Wigan, Bolton, Salford, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Trafford. There is no limit on what I can see a Mayor could ask for, through Council Tax and it would be a one off expense and would save money in the longer term as direct control and operation would be the situation.

On the second point while Boris is control in control now, all that will happen will be another stailmate in parliament and a vote of no confidence will end up being called and a General Election which the Conservative's simply wouldn't get a majority from and also couldn't form any kind of pack with other parties, as all the other parties except the Brexit Party have a leaning to the left, therefore their days are numbered, if they are still here in six months it will be a miracle. I have no political view on it, its just the way it appears to me, I don't care either way what happens.

Interesting mentioning a Corbyn government, as it would probably need one to get the backing for franchising. Given that the support for the Labour Party is falling massively, they have no chance of forming a government, nor does anyone else for that matter. I doubt if franchising is likely for many years to come. Also the costs involved with Burnham’s plans would be excessive to say the least and I am sure Manchester people would rather fork out cash for other projects and transport improvements. Franchising bus services, building new depots, leasing buses would be way back in the queue fir resources.