A new London-style public transport system in Greater Manchester is due to start next year, the mayor has announced. 

During a major event to outline a new era for Greater Manchester – held at Escape to Freight Island in front of the city-region’s key business, political and civic leaders – the Mayor is expected to set out a revised timetable for the introduction of bus franchising, which will see:

• Regulated buses first introduced in Bolton and Wigan as well as parts of Salford and west Manchester from next autumn (2023)
• Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and areas of north Manchester to follow in Spring 2024
• Final tranche covering Stockport, Trafford, Tameside, south Manchester and remaining parts of Salford to run by end of 2024

There will also be a new charging system which will cap adult fares for a single journey at £2, and children's fares at £1. 

It means passengers could finally be freed from a ‘fragmented’ system involving more than 830 services run by 30 operators with 150 different ticket types.

Despite objections from bus operators, a judge last week gave the go ahead for the city-region's bus service to go back under public control for the first time in 30 years. 

Improving public transport connectivity in Greater Manchester is a key part of proposals for the Bee Network, which subject to government approval, will receive £1.2 billion of funding over five years, with £428 million being invested in buses, routes and services.

Mr Burnham said: “The court ruling means we now have the green light to deliver on our plans to deliver a London-style public transport system.

“We will make travelling by public transport more appealing, easier and, significantly, put our people before profits.

“Government has signalled its intention to support our ambitions many times over and we now need them to work in partnership with us, to help us turn our shared vision into a reality.”

Greater Manchester will have a new Transport Commissioner, with former Transport for London (TfL) Managing Director of Customers, Communication and Technology, Vernon Everitt, set to take a leading role in the delivery of the Bee Network.

The Mayor is also set to announce a new Active Travel Commissioner at Monday's New Era event.

Mr Everitt said: “It is a privilege to be given the responsibility to help write the next chapter of Greater Manchester’s ambitious and truly transformational transport story. The Bee Network vision sets out a compelling plan for better transport and I will bring all my experience to the table to ensure we deliver it.

“Our integrated transport network will unlock access to opportunity and public services, and drive reduced carbon emissions and improved wellbeing, benefitting everyone who lives, works or visits here. I look forward to working with the mayor, councils, transport operators and people across Greater Manchester to deliver a world class public transport system.”