Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham says the new buses could be symbolic of the need for 'more public control and ownership of critical services'. It's hoped the Bee Network will mean cheaper and easier travel.
Michael Solomon Williams, campaigns manager at the Campaign for Better Transport, which calls for improvements like fare caps, told Sky News:"I think one of the most significant things about this move is that for a long time buses have been in decline, services have been cut and cost has gone up, so the potential for this to succeed is very exciting."
The trade association for the UK's bus and coach industry has pledged its commitment to the new service."Buses account for three-quarters of all public transport journeys in Greater Manchester and there's room to grow the role of bus even more," said Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
"We also need a package of bus priority measures which reduce congestion, speed up journey times, keep fares low and ensure buses are reliable - factors we know are important for passengers."As one waiting for a delayed bus at the Bolton Interchange told Sky News:"We don't just want a better service, we want it more regular, it's not just about cheap fares.
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