Greater Manchester Transport Innovation Fund

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The Greater Manchester Transport Innovation Fund (TiF) is a bid by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA) to secure funds from the UK Government's Transport Innovation Fund (TIF). GMPTA seeks funds of up to £3 bn which will be put towards major transport improvements in Greater Manchester and the infrastructure for the collection of a Congestion Charge.

Background to TiF

The Transport Innovation Fund (TiF) is a Government project to improve transport across the country by using congestion charging or a Workplace Parking Levy and other funding to improve public transport.[1]

Funding

The funding will come in two parts: £1.5 bn in the form of a grant from Central Government and £1.2 bn as a loan to be paid back over 30 years from the profits generated by the public transport system and Congestion Charge. The money will be spent on the proposed improvements and the costs of setting up the system and managing it in the zones for congestion charging.

Improvements

Buses

First Manchester bus at Shudehill Interchange, Manchester

As the most used form of public transport in Greater Manchester, the bus services will gain a large amount of investment. The aim of the TiF is to give a more reliable service, create better local routes and better access and make the services easier to use. TiF aims to improve the reliability of services.[2] Proposals include improving the frequency of bus services at all times of day, including the early morning and late evening; expanding the service network and making bus coverage in Greater Manchester more comprehensive; introducing more modern and comfortable buses (all of which will have low floors for ease of access);[3] providing new "feeder" links with railway stations and Metrolink stops; improving fare-collection systems, encouraging the use of season tickets and introducing a smartcard scheme;[3] and introducing "bus priority" corridors to give buses more road space.[2]

At a local level, the intention is that 90% of the population of Greater Manchester should live within a five-minute walk of a bus service which meets the following criteria:

  • At least a 20-minute frequency on weekdays
  • At least a 30-minute frequency on weekday evenings and at weekends.[4]

Access improvements will include a new real-time customer information system: passengers will be able to find out where buses are and when they are expected to arrive by checking online or by mobile phone, and some stops will have this information displayed on screens. Closed-circuit television at stops and on buses will be intended to improve security.[3] New routes are proposed, including circular routes serving various inner suburbs and connecting them with popular districts such as Trafford Park and Salford Quays; services travelling across Greater Manchester between outlying areas, rather than terminating in Manchester city centre; and a high-speed service between Leigh, Salford and Manchester, travelling mostly on new bus corridors.[5]

Yellow school buses

As at 2008, there are 36 dedicated school buses operating in Greater Manchester. The Transport Innovation Fund aims to increase the fleet to 326 in two stages. Funding has already been secured for 120, of which 70 will be used on new routes and 50 will replace the buses currently used on existing routes. Another 170 may be introduced over the next decade.[6]

Trains

Northern Rail service near Castleton

Northern Rail is responsbile for running local rail services and operating most railway stations in Greater Manchester.[7] The Transport Innovation Fund aims to work with the company in improving the rail network in the area. Investment in new and longer trains would increase peak-time capacity by more than 7,000 seats across Greater Manchester. Extra platforms or extensions to existing platforms could be built at some stations to accommodate longer trains.[8] Security improvements would include the provision of closed-circuit television at stations, covering platforms, waiting areas and car parks.[9] To encouraging cycling to stations, 2,500 secure spaces for parking bicycles are planned.[10] Connections between different modes of transport would be made easier: interchange facilities with the bus and, where applicable, Metrolink networks would be provided or upgraded at several locations in Manchester city centre and Salford, Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Eccles, Stockport and Wigan. New or enlarged park and ride facilities are proposed at Cheadle Hulme, Horwich Parkway, Hazel Grove, Heald Green, Mills Hill, Rochdale, Romiley and Stalybridge railway stations.[9] Customer information screens, showing train arrival information, will be provided at all stations; the real-time updates will also be available online and via a text message service, in the same way as bus arrival information.[11] The proposed smartcard system would be valid on trains in the Greater Manchester area as well as on buses and trams.[10]

Metrolink

Main article: Manchester Metrolink
Metrolink tram in Eccles

Manchester Metrolink is Greater Manchester's urban transit system. As at 2008 the network has three lines, 37 stations and 23 miles (37 km) of track.[12] An extension, Phase 3a, has already been funded, and surveying and inspection work began in 2008.[13] Further extensions which TiF intends to fund would increase the track mileage to 67 miles (108 km), the number of stops to 108 and the passenger capacity to 70 million journeys per year (from 20 million in 2008).[12]

Phase 3b of Metrolink, which TiF would fund, consists of various extensions to Phase 3a routes:

Forty more trams have already been ordered to supplement the 32 used on the current network and to provide capacity for Phase 3a. TiF plans to fund another 58. On the current network, capacity enhancements will be focused on the Altrincham–Bury route: all services are to be operated by double units (two trams coupled together) by the end of 2012.[12] Proposed general enhancements to the system include frequency improvements, new through journeys between different parts of Greater Manchester, more accessible trams, track improvements, real-time customer information systems, security enhancements and the ability to use the proposed smartcard.[15]

Greater Manchester smartcard

Main article: Readycard

The planned smartcard system would cover all modes of transport in the Greater Manchester area,[10] removing the need to buy separate tickets for a multi-modal journey. Operationally, it would be similar to London's Oystercard scheme.[16]

Cars

The planned congestion charge scheme is expected to be in place in 2013. An anticipated reduction of 10–15% in the number of cars entering the charging zone is expected to reduce congestion and decrease journey times.[17] A traffic information and control system is to be put in place on the major routes into Manchester city centre, to monitor incidents and provide updates on problems and diversionary routes.[18] There will be more and higher-capacity park and ride facilities, including new sites on many of the Metrolink extensions and the Leigh–Manchester bus route.[19]

According to the data contained in the TIF bid submitted by Greater Manchester's 10 council leaders to the government, half the cost of congestion to Greater Manchester is caused by traffic that never comes inside the M60 and those drivers would not be hit by the planned peak-hour congestion charge.[20]

Congestion charging

Main article: Congestion charging in Greater Manchester

Background

The congestion charging system will be based on two charging rings, picking up vehicles heading in towards Manchester on weekday mornings between 7am and 9.30am and away from Manchester between 4pm and 6.30pm. Drivers will pay £2 (at 2007 prices) when crossing the outer ring (just within the M60) and £1 on crossing the inner ring travelling towards Manchester. During the evening peak period drivers will pay £1 when crossing the inner ring and £1 when crossing the outer ring. It is estimated by that fewer than 20% of Greater Manchester’s weekday peak-time drivers would pay a charge. [21]

A referendum at the end of November 2008 will decide whether the scheme can proceed - see later section.

Plans

TIF aims to tackle congestion at the times, places and direction that it does greatest harm to the Greater Manchester economy.

There will also be no charge at weekends or on Bank Holidays.

A capped day pass of £10 is proposed for drivers, such as multi-drop delivery vehicles, who cross charging rings repeatedly at peak times.

HGV and other commercial vehicles will be charged at the same rate as private cars.

If charging is introduced in 2013 as planned, the average weekday daily charge of less than £3 at 2007 prices, would be no more than £3.60.[21] [22]

Commitments

AGMA and GMPTA have made the following commitments regarding congestion charging in Greater Manchester:

  • There will be NO charge at all for any vehicles travelling before 7am
  • There will be NO charge at all for any vehicles travelling 9.30am and 4pm
  • There will be NO charge at all for any vehicles travelling after 6.30pm.
  • There will be NO charge at all for any vehicles travelling away from Manchester between 7am and 9.30am.
  • There will be NO charge at all for any vehicles travelling into Manchester between 4pm and 6.30pm.
  • There will be NO charge at all for any vehicles weekends or on Bank Holidays.
  • There will be NO charge at any point for drivers who do not cross one of the rings during their journey.
  • There will be NO charge for travelling around the M60 or the inner ring road.
    — gmfuturetransport.co.uk[21]

Discounts

  • Motorcycles, Black Taxi Cabs and Private Hire Cars will get a 100% discount.
  • Until the Metrolink Trafford Centre is built cars, vans and trucks entering the first zone through Trafford Park will have a 50% discount.
  • Low income workers will get a discount of up to 20%.
  • People who have hospital or medial appointments will be entitled to a 100% discount. [21]

Reaction

Public

According to "secret polling data" obtained by the Manchester Evening News, a survey of more than 5,000 people by Ipsos MORI showed that 53% of Greater Manchester would vote in favour of the TiF bid in a referendum. It showed a majority in each of the 10 boroughs including Stockport, Bury and Trafford whose councils have opposed the scheme before.[23]

An independent survey conducted by Populus in June and reported by the BBC on 17th June indicated that less than a third of residents of Greater Manchester support the proposals http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7458307.stm

Business

In the business world a group called United City are supporting Manchesters bid for TiF and a Congestion Charge which if successful will make it the United Kingdom's largest public transport investment in history outside of London. .[24]

Greater Manchester Momentum Group www.gmmgroup.co.uk is an alliance of over 250 large and small employers who believe that the scheme is badly thought out and will cause substantial harm to the economy of Greater Manchester.

Political

On 1 July 2008 the Labour Member of Parliament for Worsley, Barbara Keeley, raised a number of concerns in the House of Commons about the TIF consultation process, which she summed up by saying: "It is my firm view that the consultation proposed by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and the passenger transport executive is not up to the task [25]

According to the BBC, motoring groups have reacted with anger to the announcement, with the Manchester Against Tolls group describing the day of the announcement as a "bad day for drivers all over Britain". The group called the maximum £5 charge a "Trojan horse" and said this would just be the start of charges for road users. "Ken Livingstone has already demonstrated in London what will happen - he increased the £5 charge to £8 and has doubled the size of the charge zone," a spokesman said. "Road pricing is just another poll tax and will hit less well off drivers the hardest. The intention can only be to try and force them off the road."[26]

The Charman of the GMPTE Roger Jones lost his seat in the 2008 local by-elections to an opponent of the congestion charge on which the TIF plans are based. After his defeat Mr. Jones said "I don’t think my defeat will change things, but it will make everyone a bit more wary. The hardest job for TIF supporters will be explaining the facts to the public." He also pointed out: "When you ask people if they want congestion charging they say no. If you ask whether they want improved public transport they say yes."[27]

TIF referendum

On 24 July 2008 it was a agreed a public Referendum would take place to vote on a proposed Congestion Charge and £3 billion Transport Investment. A 14-week consultation on the proposal is due to end on 10 October 2008. A postal referendum will take place in December. The Electoral Reform Society will be involved with referendum proposals.

For it to succeed, voters in seven out of the 10 Greater Manchester authorities will have to vote "yes" - any less and the scheme will not be implemented. Mathematically this means 50.1% in seven areas will have to vote Yes to pass. Out of the total vote (10% of which is from each area) a minimum vote of 35.07% spread evenly over 7 seven areas is needed.[clarification needed] [28]

References

  1. ^ "Transport Innovation Fund". Department for Transport website. Department for Transport. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  2. ^ a b "If you're a bus passenger, what can you expect from TIF? (Reliable Services)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  3. ^ a b c "If you're a bus passenger, what can you expect from TIF? (Better Access)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  4. ^ "If you're a bus passenger, what can you expect from TIF? (Local Routes)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  5. ^ "If you're a bus passenger, what can you expect from TIF? (Ease of use)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  6. ^ "If you need to get to school, how will TIF help? (New & improved services)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  7. ^ "Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority: Report for Resolution" (pdf). Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. 2008-02-22. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  8. ^ "What can train travellers expect from TIF? (Capacity)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  9. ^ a b "What can train travellers expect from TIF? (Facilities)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  10. ^ a b c "What can train travellers expect from TIF? (Joining it all up)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  11. ^ "What can train travellers expect from TIF? (Information)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  12. ^ a b c d "If you're a tram user, how will TIF help? (Network)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  13. ^ "Environmental experts inspect new Metrolink routes". GMPTE website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive. 2008-04-02. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  14. ^ "Metrolink Network" (pdf). Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  15. ^ "If you're a tram user, how will TIF help? (Tram Advantages)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  16. ^ "Integration & Smartcards". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  17. ^ "If you're a driver, what can you expect from TIF? (Faster Journeys)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  18. ^ "If you're a driver, what can you expect from TIF? (Traffic Information)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  19. ^ "If you're a driver, what can you expect from TIF? (Park and ride)". Greater Manchester Future Transport website. Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Association. 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  20. ^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1060501_charge_to_miss_key_congestion Retrieved on 14 September 2008
  21. ^ a b c d Our Plans
  22. ^ http://www.gmfuturetransport.co.uk/pdf/ChargingRing.pdf
  23. ^ 53% 'support for c-charge'
  24. ^ "United City Home Page". United City. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  25. ^ Westminster Hall Debates: Manchester TiF Retrieved on 2008-08-14
  26. ^ bbc.co.uk BBC News: City congestion fee plan unveiled 2007-05-25 Retrieved on 2008-08-14
  27. ^ Transport News:Jones defeat rocks Manchester TIF supporters 2008-05-23 Retrieved on 2008-08-14
  28. ^ http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080725/FREE/206048306/1059

See also

External links

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