Change in leadership for public transport in Greater Manchester

Date published: 21 June 2010

The appointments to key positions on Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority for the coming year have been confirmed.

At the Authority’s Annual General Meeting, Councillor Ian Macdonald was appointed Chair of the Authority. Councillor Keith Whitmore was confirmed as Vice Chair and will also lead the influential Policy & Resources Committee.

Cllr David Sandiford was confirmed as Chair of the Bus Network and GMPTE Services Committee, while Councillors Doreen Dickinson and Richard Knowles will continue to Chair the Rail & Metrolink Networks Committee and Capital Projects Committee respectively.

Councillor Macdonald, 73, who lives with his wife in Worsley, became a member of GMITA in 2004.

He said: “I am delighted to take on this important role at such an exciting time for public transport, as we continue to make good progress with the 11 major public transport schemes covered by the £1.5 billion Greater Manchester Transport Fund.

“Over the next year, we will be developing the next Local Transport Plan, a vital document that will outline a three-year spending plan and will also set out our long-term vision for travel in Greater Manchester.

“In addition, three new Metrolink sections will open for service, which will be a historic moment for the network and the new areas it will serve, and we will continue the fight for more carriages for our overcrowded rail services – so I am looking forward to a very busy year.”

Councillor Whitmore, 55, has been an elected member of Manchester City Council for more than 30 years. He is a Director of Greater Manchester Accessible Transport, Chair of the Manchester Museum of Transport, and chairs the Board for the Heaton Park Tramway.

Councillor Whitmore has served on the Authority for 19 years.

He said: “We have achieved a lot in recent years but, as ever, we are looking at ways to do more for passengers and I look forward to setting the next goals and facing the next challenges.

“In particular, we will continue to build on our new approach of working in partnership with bus operators to achieve improved standards and consistency across the entire network and ensure that bus travel is an attractive option for everyone.”