Bus priority schemes delivering significant boosts for passengers, says report

• Bus users on Leigh to Manchester (via Salford) route benefit from significant improvements to reliability and journey times following implementation of Greater Manchester Bus Priority Programme

• Patronage has more than doubled on Leigh Guided Busway services, with huge shift from car to bus

• New routes have resulted in fewer collisions where people are killed or seriously injured

• Schemes a catalyst for growth and investment with more than 2,000 homes built along the route of the Busway and A580

  
  

New analysis has revealed the wide-ranging benefits of the £122m Greater Manchester Bus Priority Programme, including quicker journey times, safer roads, higher levels of passenger satisfaction and a boost to local economies.

Developed and delivered between 2007 and 2017 by TfGM in partnership with Wigan, Manchester, Salford and Rochdale councils, the programme focused on three key routes connecting to Manchester city centre: the Leigh Guided Busway, Rochdale Road and Oxford Road.

Monitored since its launch, an evaluation report went to the Bee Network Committee on Thursday (May 29).

The scheme has delivered significant reliability and journey time benefits for bus passengers in the Wigan, Salford and Manchester with average morning journey times between Leigh and Manchester reduced by over a quarter – from 65 minutes in 2013, to less than 50 minutes.

There has also been growth in bus patronage and people choosing to switch from driving to travelling by bus. Survey evidence indicates that patronage more than doubled, and up to 25% of passengers switched from car to bus travel, removing more than 600,000 trips per year from our roads since 2017.

This high rate of ‘modal shift’ is attributed to the delivery of a package of improvements including new infrastructure, high quality waiting facilities, high specification vehicles and the introduction of a new frequent service.

The Vantage service from Leigh to Manchester is also one of two routes currently running a night bus pilot introduced as part of the integration of all Greater Manchester services under the Bee Network.

This approach is now serving as a template for improvements in other areas of Greater Manchester.

There has also been a significant increase in the number of people using the dedicated walking, wheeling and cycling route alongside the busway, with 58% of users surveyed saying it had led to them living a more active lifestyle. A recent survey estimated that over a third of a million trips were made on the path in 2023. 

Another notable benefit has been a drop in the number of serious or fatal collisions on the Leigh to Manchester city centre bus route, including the A580 East Lancs Road (which the busway joins after Ellenbrook), and Oxford Road, in Manchester*.

The number of serious or fatal casualties on the A580 ‘corridor’ fell faster than across Greater Manchester as a whole during the analysis period – with a reduction of 63% compared to 15% for the city region. The number of casualties in the vicinity of Oxford Road also fell by 21%.

Vernon Everitt, Greater Manchester’s Transport Commissioner, said:

“This evaluation report demonstrates the positive impact for residents of investment in high quality public transport to deliver safe, frequent and reliable services.

“These schemes have enabled better access to homes, jobs, healthcare, education and to leisure destinations and further improvements have recently been delivered with the creation of the Bee Network, including the introduction of night buses to support workers and the night time economy.

“Affordability of public transport has also been transformed. As a result of bringing buses under local control, fares have been reduced and held at £2 for an adult Hopper - enabling customers to change buses within an hour of their first tap without having to pay more - and delivering more convenient ‘Tap and Go’ contactless payment which guarantees the lowest fare."

Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council said:

“I welcome the findings in this report which shows how a reliable and affordable bus services travelling through Salford can really reduce car journeys on key routes, helping to reduce congestion.

“As across Greater Manchester councils are striving through Vision Zero to eliminate deaths on our roads this report shows how huge reductions in those killed or seriously injured can be achieved.

“Well done to all involved in making these services better for local people and lets continue with this hard work.”

Steven Cochrane, Partnerships Director for the Oxford Road Corridor Partnership, said:

"The Bus Priority Programme has been a key driver in the transformation of the Oxford Road Corridor. It has enabled the creation of dedicated cycle lanes—now supporting well over a million journeys each year—improved safety, and unlocked land for new public realm and green spaces.

“These enhancements have helped attract further investment and supported job growth within the Oxford Road Corridor. Improved connectivity supports our ambition to become a world-class knowledge quarter, linking residents across Greater Manchester to a wide range of educational and employment opportunities, world-leading specialist hospitals, and the cultural attractions along the Corridor."

Overall passenger satisfaction on the Vantage services serving Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley are also higher than the Greater Manchester average, at 89%. A high proportion of passengers (48%) said they were ‘very satisfied’ with their overall journey experience.