Agenda and decisions

Apologies were received and noted from Councillors Tracey Rawlins, Howard Sykes, Naeem Hassan, Kevin Peel and George Hulme.

There were no Chair’s announcements or items of urgent business.

To receive declarations of interest in any item for discussion at the meeting. A blank form for declaring interests has been circulated with the agenda; please ensure that this is returned to the Governance & Scrutiny Officer 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

That Councillor Phil Burke declared a personal interest as an employee of Metrolink.

To consider the approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2023.

That the minutes of the GM Transport Committee meeting held on 17 February 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To note the minutes of the following GM Transport Sub Committee Meetings –

·       Metrolink & Rail Sub Committee held on 3 March 2023 – Attached

·       Bus Services Sub Committee held on 10 March 2023 – Attached

·       Active Travel Sub Committee held on 10 March 2023 – Attached

1.    That the minutes of the Metrolink & Rail Sub Committee held on 3 March 2023 be noted.

2.      That the minutes of the Bus Services Sub Committee held on 10 March 2023 be noted.

3.      That the minutes of the Active Travel Sub Committee held on 10 March 2023 be noted.

4.      That thanks be noted for the work done by TfGM colleagues to stabilise the bus network.

5.      That a meeting be arranged to allow Councillor Phil Burke to put forward his views to the Mayor on the Bikes on Tram’s pilot.

Verbal update by Northern Rail.

1.            That the updates from Northern Rail be noted.

2.            That it be noted there had been considerable service improvements since the introduction of the December timetable.

3.            That it be noted that through the Greater Manchester Stations Alliance work was underway to install accessible toilet pods at a few stations, which would be available to rail users and the wider community.

4.            That it be noted that the renovation work to improve accessibility being carried out at Salford Central station had been progressing as planned.

5.            That it be noted that the ticket office in Hattersley was now open. 

6.            That it be noted that Northern Rail had won an award for innovative computer simulation to build confidence with those with accessibility needs to travel by train.

7.            That it be noted that Northern would feedback to Councillor Vickers on the suggestion made as to whether it would be possible to extend the discount offer for journeys made between Wigan and central Manchester.

To be presented by Anne Marie Purcell, Bus Franchising Programme Director, TfGM.

1.            That the update in relation to the delivery of the Bee Network be noted.

2.                  That it be noted that work on the fares and ticketing proposition was underway and that a further progress update would be brought to a future meeting.

3.                  That it be noted that a consultation had been launched to allow cross boundary services to operate within GM under the service permit scheme.

4.                  That it be noted that further updates in relation to the procurement of depots would be brought to a future meeting.

5.                  That a report outlining the details of the GM Bus Plan would be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.

6.                  That it be noted that further engagement sessions had been planned individual local authorities to inform members of franchising delivery progress.

7.                  That further information be provided to Councillor John Vickers on the level of engagement with members of the public concerning the features that could be added to buses on the network.

8.                  That members receive regular updates on developments concerning any progress made on the bus network linked to the Clean Air Plan.

Report of Alex Cropper, Interim Chief Operating Officer, TfGM.

1.    That the update on the work and achievements of the Greater Manchester TravelSafe Partnership across 2022 be noted.

2.    That the summary of the outcomes and successes of the GMP Transport Unit be noted.

3.    That it be noted that the delivery of Safer Streets (round 4) focussed on the issue of missiles/criminal damage in Bolton and Salford was currently underway.

4.    That it be noted that a three-year action plan was being developed to promote gender equality to support safer travel for all.

5.    That GMP would provide Councillor Phil Burke with detailed figures on the number of arrests made on the network in relation to knife crime.

Report of Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner, GMCA.

1.     That the update by the Active Travel Commissioner in relation to the progress made in delivery of the active travel agenda be noted.

2.     That the presentation delivered at the meeting be circulated to members.

3.     That it be noted that the Streets for All design guide was due to be published in the Summer of 2023.

4.     That the work being done with GMP to improve safety on the network and build customer confidence be noted.

5.     That the activity being done to improve public transport connectivity as part of the Get On Board campaign be noted.

6.     That the work being done with schools in collaboration with district officers, to get children to and from school in more active and sustainable ways be noted.

7.     That it noted that as part of the road danger reduction plan, that funding had been agreed for 91 new safety cameras through the active travel programme.

Report of Carla Nuttall, Head of Strategic Communication, TfGM.

1.    That the update on the Get On Board campaign that had been launched to promote the use of Public Transport and Active Travel in Greater Manchester be noted.

2.    That the proposal to develop a Consumer and Commercial Growth Strategy be noted.

3.    That it be noted that phase 2 of the Get On Board campaign would go live from 13 March and would run for 12 weeks until 7 May.

4.    That it be noted that the first wave of targeted campaigns would commence by June 2023.

5.    That further details on operational practices around sporting events would be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.