Issue details

1. As part of the Greater Manchester Franchising Scheme for Buses 2021, a service permit scheme must be introduced in order to allow services to operate within the franchised area that will not form part of the franchised network.

2. The Transport Act 2000 (the “Act”) and the Franchising Schemes (Service Permits) (England) Regulations 2018 (the “Regulations”) provide for a set process to be carried out by a franchising authority implementing a service permit scheme and where it wishes to impose conditions on granted service permits.

3. Following the completion of the two consultations required as part of this process set out in the Act and the Regulations, this decision allows for the further required steps under the legislation to be carried out, which shall allow TfGM to begin accepting applications for service permits from operators, and attaching conditions to service permits, in time for the beginning of the franchising scheme in Greater Manchester.