Mayor Spends £20m to Encourage More Bus Trips Across Manchester

Published: 2 March 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

A major new initiative to boost public transport use has been unveiled by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, who has pledged £20 million of public funds to encourage more people to take the bus. The scheme — described by officials as a “Bus Revolution” — aims to reverse years of declining ridership, cut congestion and reduce carbon emissions by making bus travel cheaper, more frequent and more attractive to commuters, families and students across the region.

Under the proposals, significant subsidies will be introduced to lower fare costs on core routes, with some services temporarily made free for targeted groups such as pensioners and young people under 25. Extra investment will also go toward modernising the bus fleet, expanding weekend timetables and improving the accessibility of stops and shelters. The mayor’s office says the package is designed to tackle long‑standing barriers to bus use, including high ticket prices, unreliable services and a perception that buses lag behind other modes of transport in convenience.

Transport officials pointed to data showing that bus usage in Greater Manchester had fallen sharply since the early 2010s, with passengers opting increasingly for cars or other alternatives. By unlocking £20 million in funding, the mayor hopes to remove cost obstacles and rebuild public confidence in bus services. Officials have said the initiative could support tens of thousands of additional journeys per day and complement wider efforts to expand rail links and active travel options such as walking and cycling.

The funding package also includes a public engagement element, with marketing campaigns aimed at promoting the environmental benefits of bus travel and encouraging employers to consider commuter benefits tied to sustainable transport. Local authorities will work with community groups to address mobility needs in more remote neighbourhoods, ensuring that improvements are felt beyond central urban corridors.

Critics of the plan include some fiscal watchdogs and taxpayer groups, who argue that spending £20 million on bus subsidies may not deliver long‑term behaviour change and that funds could be better allocated to infrastructure projects with broader economic impact. They caution that without structural reform of the underlying bus network, fare cuts alone may fail to deliver sustained ridership growth.

Supporters of the initiative, including environmental and urban planning advocates, say the investment is overdue and reflects a necessary shift toward low‑carbon transport solutions. They argue that well‑funded and reliable bus services can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and make urban areas more accessible for those without access to private vehicles.

Trade unions representing bus drivers and transport workers have welcomed the funding boost, expressing hope that increased service frequency and ridership will lead to more secure jobs and better working conditions. They also urged the mayor to continue engaging with industry stakeholders to ensure the reforms address both passenger needs and workforce sustainability.

The mayor’s office says performance indicators will be monitored closely, with the first assessment of ridership changes due later this year. If successful, the scheme could become a model for other UK cities looking to tackle urban transport challenges and promote greener travel habits.

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