The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has published a plan 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 vision to transform all rail services and rebuild passenger trust in trains.

The Prospectus outlines a change in the role of rail to support the region’s 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, including 27 new units that will start to arrive from early 2020.

Less than 1% of Metrolink services are cancelled and over 90% of services arrive on time – this is compared to less than 60% of Northern’s services running ‘On Time’. In London, where TfL has greater control, over 70% of services operated by TfL Rail and London Overground arrive when scheduled.

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.

What did the officials say?

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.

“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.”

“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.”

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