Agenda and decisions

That apologies be received and noted from Councillor Howard Sykes (Oldham), Bob Morris from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Alistair Nuttall (Arriva).

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 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations received in relation to any item on the agenda.

To consider the approval of the minutes of the meeting held 18 November 2022.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2022 be approved.

Report of Stephen Rhodes, Director of Bus, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

1.    That the changes on the commercial network set out in Annex A be noted.

2.    That the impact of the changes set out in Annex A be the subject of a further report to the next meeting of this Committee.

3.    That TfGM be asked to consider how they may be able to mitigate any risk to the de-registration of current services through future bus franchise procurement tranches.

4.    That the proposed changes to general subsidised services set out in Annex C be agreed.

5.    That TfGM would provide details of the revisions to services 586 and 132 directly to Councillor Vickers.

6.    That TfGM would pick up the concerns of Cllr Blackburn in relation to service 755 not including Altrincham Girls Grammar School outside of the meeting.

1.      That bus operators be thanked for their verbal updates, and their contents noted.

2.      That bus operators and Members continue to contact TravelSafe to report any anti-social behaviour or safety concerns as they arise.

3.      That TfGM would report recent damage to First Bus vehicles directly to TravelSafe and ensure that Councillor Aldred is included in any correspondence.

4.      That a report on the Greater Manchester Road Activity Permit Scheme (GMRAPS) be brought to the next meeting of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee.

5.      That it be noted that Gary Nolan from One Bus would write separately to Councillor Tracey Rawlins (Executive Member for the Environment at Manchester City Council) regarding the City Plan for central Manchester and its impact on bus operations.

6.      That operators be invited to contact Councillor Lancaster directly should they wish to be involved in the forthcoming Jobs Fair in Bury.

7.      That it be noted that Stagecoach would write to Councillor Tracey Rawlins regarding the potential requirements for a permanent diversion away from Rusholme on Friday and Saturday evenings due to congestion levels.

Report of Stephen Rhodes, Director of Bus, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

1.    That thanks be expressed to officers at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) for a comprehensive report.

2.    That members be encouraged to contact TfGM with specific issues relating to their communities and the Local Link service.

3.    That TfGM would speak directly to Councillor Rawlins regarding further promotional materials for Local Link within the Wythenshawe area.

To comment on the proposed Work Programme for the GM Transport Committee and Sub Committees.

That the proposed Work Programme for the GM Transport Committee and its Sub Committees be noted.

That the future date for the Bus Services Sub Committee be noted as 10 March 2023.

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.

Verbal update from Stephen Rhodes, Director of Bus, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)

That the Committee expressed significant concerns regarding the wider implications of the proposed de-registration of commercial services as highlighted in Annex A of the Changes to the Bus Network and Review of Subsidised Bus Services Budget (item 5) and would prepare a statement outlining these matters for consideration by the Greater Manchester Transport Committee on 17 February.