Greater Manchester Franchising

[knutstransport]

RE: Greater Manchester Franchising

(26/03/2021 10:59)Rodney259 Wrote:  Franchising sort of works in London because of subsidies from the congestion charge which, without it would mean hugely increased fares. I am sure that motorists will be absolutely delighted to pay high congestion charges so that bus tickets can be cheaper. Think it’s a great idea for the ‘rich’ (NOT!!) motorists to subsidise ever decreasing bus passengers. Why not introduce charges in for office workers to subsidise pubs and bank workers to subsidise takeaways? There are all the controls that the Council needs to run them more effectively but the trouble is that all politicians are unable to run the proverbial booze up in a brewery but are extremely happy to waste taxpayers money and blame everyone else for their failings.

Cities like London were congested with cars and had extremely high levels of pollution, it made sense to do something to encourage people to switch to greener modes of travel.

I know people who live in Greater Manchester and who drive to work who have come unstuck when a problem has arisen meaning either their car is unavailable or they are unable to drive it and they need to look at public transport instead, only to find there isn't a suitable public transport option. I know of one person from Oldham who had to pay £25 per day in taxi fares (and hoping his insurer would refund it) after someone hit him on his motorbike and he had no motorbike to ride and even if he had been provided a courtesy one he wouldn't have been able to ride it. Not everyone works in the city centre so the trams every few minutes couldn't get him to work.

I'm not sure I understand your office workers subsiding pubs statement, given that many pubs benefit from office workers going there for their lunch or after work drinks.