MANCHESTER Airport's £60 million public transport interchange will play a key part in persuading people to use their cars less often, according to a senior authority figure.

Cllr Roger Jones, chair of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, believes that the Ground Transport Interchange will help ensure that one in four people will travel to and from the airport by bus, rail, coach or tram by 2005.

The interchange -- the first of its kind to be built in the UK -- is due to open in July and will eventually be an important stop on the expanded Metrolink tram network.

And Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority members were impressed during a tour of the £60 million complex.

They saw how the prestigious project will integrate bus, rail, coach and tram services.

The interchange will include a bus and coach station, an 80,000 sq ft office block, an integrated ticket and information desk, along with shops and catering outlets.

Cllr Jones said: "It's been good to come here and see just how much progress has been made on the interchange -- it is certainly going to be a very impressive facility when it opens."

He added: "The interchange will obviously be a key point in Greater Manchester's transport network.

"We are working very closely with the airport to improve public transport links. We are also working to help it achieve its target of getting 25 per cent of those travelling to and from the airport on to public transport by 2005."