Mayor sets out bold vision to double rail journeys by 2040

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has published a masterplan to double the number of rail journeys in the city-region by 2040.

Following on from the Prime Minister’s recent announcement to give areas like Greater Manchester more control over rail services and stations, Our Prospectus for Rail sets out a bold vision to transform all rail services and rebuild passenger trust in trains.

The Prospectus outlines a step-change in the role of rail to support the region’s planned growth, including the need to double rail passenger numbers to 200,000 in the regional centre by 2040; increasing rail journeys to Manchester Airport by 100%; and moving towards a minimum standard of four trains per hour service from stations.

It also includes plans to build on the success of Metrolink through further expansion and enhancements, including 27 new units that will start to arrive from early 2020, with an aspiration for local rail services to meet the same high-quality standards.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) figures show that locally accountable rail services such as Metrolink deliver more reliable and frequent services compared with nationally-run rail franchises.

Less than 1% of Metrolink services are cancelled and more than 90% of services arrive on time – this is compared with less than 60% of Northern’s services running ‘on time’ (within one minute).

In London, where TfL has greater control, more than 70% of services operated by TfL Rail and London Overground arrive when scheduled.

Developed by TfGM on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Our Prospectus for Rail is a part of Our Network, Greater Manchester’s 10-year plan to create an integrated, simple and convenient public transport system with simple fares and ticketing and an improved customer experience across all types of transport – trains, trams, cycling and walking and buses.

Three quarters of public transport journeys in Greater Manchester are undertaken by bus and the GMCA will also shortly consider the next steps towards reforming the bus network, which could lead to it becoming the first city region in the UK to use new powers available under the Bus Services Act 2017.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We need a fully integrated transport network that allows people to travel seamlessly between modes with simple, affordable ticketing – and Our Prospectus for Rail underpins the transformational change we need on the local rail network to support growth.

“This is one of two major milestones in the Our Network journey during the next couple of weeks, which will also see GMCA reach the next stage of the process of reforming the bus market.

“Performance figures continue to reiterate what I have made clear for a long time – that the rail network is letting down Greater Manchester’s passengers and businesses. I have heard too many stories of people who have given up on trains because they just can’t rely on them to get them to work on time.

“The success of Metrolink shows that you can deliver high-quality rail services when those who design and deliver them are close and accountable to the customers they serve.

“We are pleased with the Prime Minister’s recent commitment – but we need the funding and powers to make them a reality. That is why Our Prospectus for Rail outlines our plans for GM Rail with more local control and accountability.”

He added: “Rather than operating in isolation, rail should help us to make sure that people who live, work and visit Greater Manchester benefit from world-class connections. This will allow our city region to continue contributing to the growth of the Northern Powerhouse and in the critical role of rebalancing our national economy.”

To deliver an improved rail offer, four areas have been identified to transform it in the city-region:

• Making the best use of what is available now
• Delivering more capacity and connectivity
• A devolved and accountable rail-based network
• Integrated travel between all modes

The Mayor has also called for committed infrastructure improvement projects to be delivered, such as tackling the capacity constraint at Castlefield Corridor, the TransPennine Route Upgrade and ensuring HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) are taken forward.

He said: “If we want to deliver economic growth, improve productivity and increase prosperity in the North we need to transform city-to-city links through the delivery of both HS2 and NPR.

“We also need high-capacity, high-frequency metro-style rail services like those in successful cities around the world.”

Northern service has experienced problems

Paul Hirst, head of transport at Addleshaw Goddard and chair of Transport and Infrastructure for the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Andy Burnham’s rail plan for Greater Manchester demonstrates what can be achieved practically in the coming years, and the foundations which can be laid to secure local integrated transport with GM Rail from 2025 alongside Metrolink and bus, made more effective and coherent with decentralised and accountable investment in infrastructure.

“Longer trains with longer platforms has been delivered across London and the South East – and is a quick win.

“However, this intervention is needed in addition to long term infrastructure like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail which are fundamental to the growth of Greater Manchester as they both also are in the city regions of Leeds and Liverpool, Sheffield and Sunderland.

“The role of Manchester Airport as a global hub to access key international markets, like Asia, but the other fast growing economic regions of the globe, needs to be accessible to the Northern Powerhouse as a whole, helping enable 45 million passengers a year – maximising the existing runway capacity.”