Transport for Greater Manchester celebrates 10th birthday

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is celebrating a significant landmark following what it has called a decade of “unprecedented investment and development of the region’s transport network.” 

The start of April marks exactly ten years since the current organisation was born, after a reform of local government in Greater Manchester granted the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) more powers and led to a rebranding.

Since the rebranding, TfGM has delivered many high profile and successful projects and schemes, including:

• The £1.5bn ‘Phase Three’ Metrolink expansion between 2010 and 2015, which saw new lines through dozens of local communities, with extensions to Rochdale via Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport.
• The £350m Trafford Park line in March 2020, adding a further 5.5km of track and six new stops to serve one of the region’s major employment, leisure and retail destinations.
• New transport interchanges in Rochdale, Ashton, Altrincham, Wythenshawe and Bolton, while Radcliffe and Wigan now enjoy new, state-of-the-art bus stations.
• The £122m Leigh to Ellenbrook Guided Busway in April 2016 which, prior to the pandemic, required extra services to help cope with demand.
• The delivery of the first 55 miles of safe cycling and walking routes by the end of 2021, with plenty more schemes in the pipeline for delivery as part of the Bee Network, a plan for the UK’s largest cycling and walking network.
• The TravelSafe Partnership – a multi-agency body led by TfGM and Greater Manchester Police, that takes an intelligence-lead, problem-solving approach to tackling crime and ASB on public transport.

“This is a significant landmark, and it gives us the opportunity to look back, with great pride, on everything we’ve achieved to improve transport for our customers, and I’d like to personally thank everyone who played a part in that,” said Chief Executive Officer of Transport for Greater Manchester, Eamonn Boylan.

“Our goal now is to deliver world-class connections that support long-term, sustainable economic growth and an integrated transport network.  

“We need to focus on creating the right environment for 50 per cent of all journeys to be made by walking, cycling and public transport by 2040. 

“It’s a vision that all of our staff are committed to delivering for everyone who lives, works and visits Greater Manchester.”

Before 1 April 2011, the organisation had been known as GMPTE since 1974. Prior to that, it had operated as the South East Lancashire / North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive (SELNEC), following the introduction of the Transport Act (1968).