Agenda and decisions

That apologies be received and noted from Cllr Barry Warner, Salford.

There were no Chairs announcements or urgent business.

There were no declarations of interest made in relation to any item on the agenda.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 13 November 2020.

That the minutes of the meeting held 13 November 2020 be approved.

To note and comment on the proposed work programme for the GM Transport Committee and its sub committees.

1.      That the GM Transport Committee Work Programme be noted.

2.      That Members of the GMTC be updated on the ‘Doing Buses Differently’ consultation outcomes in due course.

3.      That it be noted that if Members have specific issues to raise in relation to the ‘Doing Buses Differently’ consultation, that they raise them directly with the Leader of their Local Authority.

4.      That the GM Transport Committee receive a report on Decarbonisation of Transport before the end of the municipal year.

5.      That a report on building public confidence in the public transport system be received by the GMTC at a timely opportunity.

To receive a verbal update from all bus operators.

1.      That the updates from bus operators be noted by the Committee.

2.      That it be noted that there are ongoing conversations with DfT in relation to future bus funding, and the efficient use of current funding.

3.      That thanks be expressed specifically to staff at Diamond for maintaining a good service in Bury during the difficult recent months.

4.      That it be noted that the sub committee support the lobbying action to DfT in relation to bringing back capacity for internal examinations for bus operators.

5.      That it be noted that TfGM would continue to look at how to support the roll out of contactless payment facilities to smaller operators in GM and would update the sub committee in due course.

6.      That it be noted that all temporary changes to bus timetables since February 2020 would need to be re-registered following the pandemic, and that this would be undertaken on a phased approach, subject to local consultation.

7.      That in relation to contactless fraud, it be noted that all operators have decided that the System 1 weekly ticket can no longer be purchased contactless on vehicles.

Report of Alison Chew, Head of Bus Services, TfGM.

1. That the presentation slides be shared with Members.

2. That it be noted that travel advice in relation to access to the mass vaccination site at the Ethiad Tennis Centre was now available on the TfGM website.

3. That the changes to the commercial network and the proposals not to replace the de-registered commercial services as set out in Annex A of the report be noted.

4. That it be agreed that no action is taken in respect of changes or de-registered commercial services as set out in Annex A of the report.

5. That it be noted that the changes to services 36 and 37 as outlined in the report by Diamond would no longer be going ahead.

6. That it be noted that TfGM had undertaken a review of schools’ services for this lockdown period, and in consultation with all schools, have reduced services by 30% with no impact to pupils.

7. That the proposed action taken in respect of changes or de-registered commercial services as set out in Annex B of the report be approved.

8. That it be noted that Cllr Fielding would share his suggestions with TfGM offline in relation to the use of bus stops for both directions.

9. That the proposed changes to general subsidised services set out in Annex C of the report be approved.

10. That TfGM would continue to monitor the changes to the 41 service and ensure that north and south Manchester remain connected.

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

That the financial implications of forthcoming changes to the bus network be noted by the Committee.