Confirmed: the boroughs of Wigan and Bolton, and parts of Bury and Salford, will next year become the first areas in England to see bus services return to public control.
This will take place nine months from now on 24 September 2023.
1/9
The main operator for Wigan and Bolton will be @gnwbus.
Go will become a full member of our Good Employment Charter within a year and a 100% Real Living Wage employer.
The smaller franchises will be operated by @DiamondBusNW.
Rochdale, Oldham, North Manchester and the rest of Bury will be next and will see the start of #BeeNetwork services on the 31 March 2024.
3/9
On 5th January 2025, just over two years from now, Phase 1 of the #BeeNetwork will be complete.
Buses, Bee Bikes and trams will be fully integrated into a single tap-in, tap-out system with a daily cap on what people can spend, no matter how many journey they make.
4/9
Phase 2 of the #BeeNetwork, from 2025 to 2030, will see rail services brought in (subject to agreement with the Government).
Similar to @TfL Overground, we will seek to bring designated commuter rail services within our capped system, even if they originate outside GM.
5/9
The first rail lines we wish to integrate into the #BeeNetwork are:
🛤️Wigan - Victoria
🛤️Stalybrige - Southport
🛤️Glossop - Hadfield - Piccadilly
🛤️Rose Hill - Piccadilly
🛤️Buxton - Piccadilly
🛤️Alderley Edge - Piccadilly
6/9
The Wigan - Victoria line will include a new station at Golborne.
We will reveal plans for it with partners at @WiganCouncil early in the New Year, which will then be submitted to the Government for final approval.
We expect Golborne Station to open by the end of 2025.
7/9
The rest of the rail network will be integrated by 2030 - subject to agreement with neighbouring areas.
At that point, Phase 2 of the #BeeNetwork will be complete and Greater Manchester will finally have the public transport system our residents deserve.
8/9
Sorry to bombard you but today was a big day for Greater Manchester.
To make it easier, here’s a brief animation summarising the previous eight tweets!👇🏻
9/9
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Five years ago today, the then Home Secretary Amber Rudd stood up in the Commons and ruled out an inquiry into Orgreave on the grounds that “nobody died”.
You can watch the exchanges here.👇🏻
We now have proof that she misled Parliament on that day.
First, to be clear, I did have the basis of the ruling clearly explained to me before I sent my tweet. So it was not quite as you suggested.
Second, I am not speaking without direct knowledge. I was present in the courtroom at this trial and at the previous one in Preston, as well as the Second Inquest. I have followed proceedings VERY closely.
A decade ago, in June 2009, I was appointed Health Secretary by Gordon Brown. Days later WHO declared a global pandemic. Swine flu was never as serious as the current situation. But, from where I was standing, it felt pretty scary ...
One of the reasons it felt like this was because two of the risk groups for H1N1 Swine Flu were children with disabilities & pregnant women. So concern was very high amongst certain groups. As things developed over that summer, communications quickly became my biggest problem ...
Two incidents stand out. First was an appearance on GMTV. Andrew Castle was the interviewer & his daughter had experienced an adverse reaction to Tamiflu. I could only point out that it was still the CMO’s advice to take it preventatively. But it was a car crash if I’m honest ...