Advertisement
GMPTA Chairman welcomes report into Local Transport Bill
Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 01 March 2008
A report that calls for the strengthening of the Local Transport Bill has been largely welcomed by the Chair of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA).
The Institute for Public Policy Research North (IPPR North) today published 'Moving On: A Progressive Transport Policy for Northern England'.
It calls for the Local Transport Bill to give Passenger Transport Authorities and Executives firm powers to exercise control over bus and rail services in northern city regions.
The current proposals would require city regions to seek approval from a non-elected quango, the Secretary of State and further legislation.
Councillor Roger Jones, Chair of GMPTA, said: "I welcome the IPPR report and largely support its findings.
"It is good to hear a respected, independent body agreeing that we need more local controls over public transport, particularly the routes and timetables of buses. It's something we've called for for a long time because the current system simply doesn't work well enough for passengers.
"Overall, the Local Transport Bill is good news for city regions like Greater Manchester. But we need it to give us the right mix of powers to guarantee a truly integrated public transport network of the highest standard.
"Together with the suggestion of reinstating PTAs as signatories on rail franchise agreements, the IPPR's proposed changes to the Bill would also enable us to provide train and bus timetables that work together and feed each other. I also agree that the city regions need a bigger slice of public transport funding.
The Institute for Public Policy Research North (IPPR North) today published 'Moving On: A Progressive Transport Policy for Northern England'.
It calls for the Local Transport Bill to give Passenger Transport Authorities and Executives firm powers to exercise control over bus and rail services in northern city regions.
The current proposals would require city regions to seek approval from a non-elected quango, the Secretary of State and further legislation.
Councillor Roger Jones, Chair of GMPTA, said: "I welcome the IPPR report and largely support its findings.
"It is good to hear a respected, independent body agreeing that we need more local controls over public transport, particularly the routes and timetables of buses. It's something we've called for for a long time because the current system simply doesn't work well enough for passengers.
"Overall, the Local Transport Bill is good news for city regions like Greater Manchester. But we need it to give us the right mix of powers to guarantee a truly integrated public transport network of the highest standard.
"Together with the suggestion of reinstating PTAs as signatories on rail franchise agreements, the IPPR's proposed changes to the Bill would also enable us to provide train and bus timetables that work together and feed each other. I also agree that the city regions need a bigger slice of public transport funding.
Have Your Say
Post New Comment
To post a comment you must first Log in. Don't have an account? Register Now!