Stockport Council Leader Ties Bus Funding Increase to Tram Link Commitment

The head of a local council has stated his unwillingness to back a rise in local bus subsidies without a “firm commitment” for a crucial new tram connection within Greater Manchester. Mayor Andy Burnham recently declared that the £2 bus fare cap in the city region would remain in effect through 2025, even as the national fare increases to £3. However, Mark Hunter, who leads Stockport Council, indicated he would withhold his support for this initiative by not approving an increase in locally-funded bus subsidies until the long-anticipated extension of the Metrolink network into Stockport is finalized. Responding to this, Mr. Burnham commented: “To actually build it we need to get the business case through, then hopefully we will get the green light.” The government confirmed in its recent Budget that the £2 single bus fare cap would be raised to £3 across most of England starting in January. Nevertheless, in Greater Manchester, Mr. Burnham affirmed that fares would stay at their current level “for the whole of 2025 but subject to a mid-year review.” Maintaining this arrangement, however, would necessitate either an increase in passenger numbers, a grant from the central government, or an uplift in council funding. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) receives partial funding from a levy contributed by the region’s 10 local councils, amounting to £119m in the 2024/25 financial year. Nevertheless, the councils of Stockport, Wigan, and Bolton are the sole authorities that contribute funding without being linked to the Metrolink network. Mr. Hunter stated that “in a time of great financial difficulty” he would not endorse an increase in the transport levy to subsidize bus fares, particularly as the town continues to await connection to the Metrolink network. The Liberal Democrat politician further elaborated: “We’re still waiting for a firm commitment that the next extension of Metrolink will be to Stockport. “Unless we get that firm commitment, then there is no way I can agree to an increase in the transport levy”.” A strategic outline business case, designed to assess the viability of the proposed connection, is anticipated to be finalized by autumn 2025. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority would subsequently be required to request the necessary funds, estimated to be several hundred million pounds, from the central government. Mr. Burnham declared: “If this government doesn’t do the right thing, I will call them out. This city region is growing now and I wont let politics inside the Labour Party put that at risk.” Transport funding will be examined by the government as part of a long-term spending review scheduled for Spring 2025. The Department for Transport commented: “Greater Manchester is receiving over £1 billion through its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and it is right for local leaders to decide how to invest this.”