A Bolton MP has backed plans to create a 'London-style' public transport network across Greater Manchester.
Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, attended an event on Wednesday (October 13) at Bolton Interchange meeting staff, officials, and discussing proposed changes to the transport system across the city-region.
This event coincided with a survey to gather residents views on the £1.4bn 'Bee Network' proposal, which aims to improve Greater Manchester’s bus network across the whole region, particularly in northern boroughs like Bolton and Bury, while simplifying fares and making them cheaper.
Ms Qureshi said: "It was great to visit Bolton Interchange today and see first-hand the new buses that will be sweeping Greater Manchester soon. I am delighted that under Andy Burnham’s stewardship Greater Manchester is finally getting an integrated transport system in the form of the Bee Network.
Great to visit Bolton Interchange today and see first hand the new buses that will be sweeping Greater Manchester soon
— Yasmin Qureshi MP (@YasminQureshiMP) October 13, 2021
Delighted that under @AndyBurnhamGM's stewardship GM is finally getting an integrated transport system in the form of the #BeeNetwork pic.twitter.com/9NxWzmywDV
"It was great to chat to staff from TfGM about the ambitious plans. They're working to deliver an integrated bus and tram transport system by 2024 and to include trains by 2030, feeding into a wider net zero goal by 2038.
"This clearly outlines Greater Manchester's plan to create an affordable alternative and address the age old idea that 'car is king'.
"We need to do all we can make public transport the most attractive option for people and have written to the Mayor accordingly to put my representations across to him."
Ms Qureshi subsequently wrote to Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, backing the plans.
She added: "The costs of public transport in Greater Manchester and in my borough are too convoluted and complex.
"To integrate the public transport system in our conurbation goes a great deal of the way to truly “levelling up” places like mine in Bolton, when contrasted with Government soundbites."
The plans will see bus networks united under a single publicly owned franchise, which will then be integrated with the Metrolink system, along with improved cycling and walking routes.
The leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Martyn Cox, joined the Mr Burnham, in Manchester city centre at the beginning of the month to unveil the new yellow buses which are proposed with the scheme.
Cllr Cox has also spoken highly of the new plans saying: "It's not just about connecting Bolton to the city centre, it’s about connecting the towns up as well, particularly across the northern conurbation.
"Where it’s good for Greater Manchester, it’s ridiculous to have an argument about it. You don’t have to be a Conservative or a Socialist to recognise that our transport system is not what it could be or what it should be."
The survey on the 'Bee Network' proposals can be filled in here: https://surveys.tfgm.com/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=163345456163
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