Over £10m confirmed to protect vital transport services in Greater Manchester

Announced last week, the transport secretary has said £18m will be given to help the city’s transport network recover from the pandemic.

Set to last until the end of March 2024, the new funding for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) will enable the city’s transport network to operate and recover from the impact of the pandemic while considering value for money for all taxpayers. 

The funding is being provided on the condition that TfGM outlines a pathway to financial sustainability as committed to in the Trailblazer Devolution Deal, which strengthened the Mayor’s powers on transport in Greater Manchester.

TfGM currently faces a very distinct set of circumstances driven principally by the way that Metrolink funding is structured and the city region’s unique local funding commitment to the Greater Manchester Transport Fund (GMTF).

The additional funding follows more than £400m provided for Greater Manchester’s local transport network through numerous transport schemes since March 2020. This is in addition to £1.07 billion through City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) £39.7 million for active travel schemes and £19.87 million through Levelling Up Funds for transport.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said: ‘Since the start of the pandemic, the government has repeatedly stepped up to support Greater Manchester and the Bee Network, providing over £400 million to protect and improve services.

‘We’re determined to see a thriving local transport network in this great city and, while our support package must be fair to taxpayers, I am confident this additional extraordinary settlement will help operators to recover from the pandemic while Transport for Greater Manchester follows through on its promise to reach financial sustainability.’

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