TRANSPORT chiefs have taken their fight to have Greater Manchester designated a trial area for a fully integrated public transport network to the Labour Party Conference.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has suggested the scheme to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Authority chairman Cllr Joe Clarke was reinforcing the message at a lunchtime fringe meeting today.

Cllr Clarke said: "If we are to begin to reverse the trends in private car use we need to attract people back onto public transport.

"People will only leave their cars at home if there are reliable, high quality public transport alternatives.

"Greater Manchester's flagship Metrolink system proves that motorists will use such alternatives.

"The system is now carrying around 13.5 million passengers a year and it takes almost two million car trips off the roads.

"The first extension to the system, to Salford Quays and Eccles, is now under construction."

Altram, the operator of Metrolink and the company constructing the Salford Quays extension, are also in the initiative.

Cllr Clarke added: "The authority is working in close partnership with the operators of local services, local authorities and other private sector interests to develop a framework for the successful integration of public transport."

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