Britain’s Government will deliver GBP 2.5 billion (EUR 3 billion) to the Greater Manchester public transport system which will support the City-region’s Bee Network to become fully integrated and zero-emission by 2030.
“With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel,” Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said.
The announcement comes after the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, announced a EUR 18.5 billion funding for city region local transport projects.
This funding will help the authorities to create an all-electric local public transport network consisting of introducing 100% electric bus fleet which, alongside trams powered by renewable energy and e-bikes for hire, it will deliver an emission-free network.
Greater Manchester public transport development plans also include the integration of the local rail lines into the Bee Network, with the city region’ communities the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel by the end of the decade. The move will see major improvements to stations, including making more fully accessible, as well as capped fares.
Plans also include the construction of a new Metrolink line, bringing Bee Network trams to the Stockport town centre, with new stops and modern new interchanges, new tram-train services connecting Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury as well as new Metrolink stops in North Manchester, Bury and Oldham.
“It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region,” Andy Burnham said.
Greater Manchester also hopes that the Government will back transformational schemes that stretch beyond the city-region’s boundaries, including the new proposed Liverpool – Manchester railway.
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