The Congestion Charge is coming to Greater Manchester
Announced on Sky News on Monday 19th February, it was announced that congestion charging will be coming to Greater Manchester in 2012.
Backed by bus company bosses and the subject of negative reaction by its motorists, the conurbation populated by 2.2 million citizens, will become the second city outside London to impose road pricing. One MP, David Heyes (Ashton-under-Lyne), had stated his opposition to the congestion charge - if no improvement to public transport has been made. Hopefully, by 2012, Phase Three of the Metrolink should be completed and by then, the buses may be re-regulated.
My personal view favours congestion charging, but, like the member for Ashton-under-Lyne, I would only back road pricing if suitable car alternatives are available. This should mean:
- The re-regulation of buses, leading in time to the public ownership of bus operations on ‘unprofitable’ but important routes;
- The doubling of capacity on railway services, in the form of carriages and infrastructure;
- Continued extension of the Metrolink system;
- Subsidised transport fares with group discounts;
- A moratorium on bus and rail service withdrawals in the run up to congestion charging.
At present, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive have been the prime mover of re-regulation, as with other PTEs in Tyne and Wear and South Yorkshire. Since 1997, the big two bus owning groups, FirstGroup and Stagecoach had operated most services in the Tameside area. Most of their passenger growth has come from acquisitions rather than organic growth. Despite consolidation, the network is still seen by many users as constantly shifting. Even though changes have been minimised by each company, there is still confusion, due to the varying dates set by each operator.
If changes are to be made, a much easier idea would be standard changeover dates for all operators, with the same changeover dates as train services on Network Rail metals. This could be enforced by local councils and Passenger Transport Executives.
If the public transport system of 2012 continues to ape the system of 2007, then the congestion charge will be seen as an annoyance by its drivers - whom, because of ineffective public transport - are forced to drive. They will see it as another form of taxation, if the streets of Ashton are blocked despite road pricing.
We have five years to get public transport back to the organised state it was before the 26th October 1986. This will mean a return to British Rail, Greater Manchester Transport, et al, and a change of perception. That perception is the concept of public transport being a utility like gas, electricity and fast broadband access. The right to move should also mean integrated public transport at affordable prices and realistic frequencies as well as clear roads and an unblocked Denton Island.
