This section was written in July 2007 and updated in February 2008. On 9th June 2008 the Government announced that the Greater Manchester bid for funding (the TIF bid) had been approved for entry into the Transport Innovation Fund Programme.

A new section called MANCHESTER CONGESTION CHARGE has been added.

We have used this colloquial title as we think it is more easily understood by casual users of this site.

The Future of Transport in Greater Manchester

Statement of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities [agma]

(the two City Councils and eight Metropolitan Borough Councils)

www.gmfuturetransport.org    or   [gmfuturetransport]

The leaders of Greater Manchester's ten councils have agreed to seek views on a possible Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) [dft+guidanceforlocalauthoritieso1030] bid to the government for a £3bn package of transport funding and the introduction of a road congestion charging system.

The extra investment would lead to a public transport revolution in Greater Manchester, including Metrolink expansions, improved trains and more frequent and better quality bus services. The changes would also help tackle climate change by cutting carbon emissions and improve air quality by reducing pollution.

Transport schemes, including Park and Ride and Yellow School Bus schemes, could be funded in the biggest and most far-reaching transport investment programme outside London.

Following a progress report on the TIF, discussed at a meeting of AGMA [agma+1528026], the proposals will now go out for initial consultation to seek the views of motorists, users of public transport, the business community and other stakeholders. AGMA will decide in July whether to submit a bid. If it goes ahead, Greater Manchester would be competing with other parts of the UK for the TIF.

If the Department for Transport ultimately funds the Greater Manchester TIF bid, it would be a pilot project which could be rolled out across the UK. The winning area would be able to shape a charging system to its local needs rather than have a national scheme imposed.

All Greater Manchester charges would go back into funding improvements to  public transport in Greater Manchester. On current projections, a simple, easy-to-understand system could be in place by late 2012.

AGMA would only proceed with the TIF bid if it meets four self-imposed tests:

• There would be no charge before transport systems - Metrolink, rail and bus - are significantly improved.
• Any charging would only apply where there are problems with congestion.
• The measures need to support the city region's agreed economic and social plans.
• The measures must be acceptable both to the public and the business community.

The emerging scheme is different from London's all-day 'blunt' charging methods, where any travel within the boundary can result in a charge. Instead, Greater Manchester's charging scheme would target the most congested routes at their busiest times only.

There would be no charges at weekends, and no charges on weekdays before 7am, between 9.30am and 4pm, after 6.30pm and right through the evening. Most popular leisure activities would also escape any charge - these include weekend shopping, evening and weekend football and other sports events, bar and restaurant dining at both lunchtime and evening, and entertainment such as concerts and theatre performances.

Similarly, there would be many orbital and short journeys that would not pass a charging point and would therefore be exempt.

There would be discounts for vulnerable groups. Essential service vehicles would not be charged.

Charging would occur on Monday to Friday at peak time only (inbound 7am-9.30am and outbound 4pm-6.30pm). There would be no charges at weekends or public holidays:

• To travel into the regional centre at peak morning period, vehicles would be charged £2 to cross at or near the M60 Outer Ring and £1 to cross the Intermediate Ring (the detailed route is yet to be determined).
• To travel out of the regional centre at peak evening period, vehicles would be charged £1 to cross the Intermediate Ring and £1 to cross at or near the M60 Outer Ring.

For a day return trip to the regional centre and back, with both inbound and outbound journeys made at peak times, the total daily charge would be £5, made up of: Morning peak inbound: £2 to cross Outer Ring, £1 to cross Intermediate Ring. Evening peak outbound: £1 to cross Intermediate Ring, to cross £1 Outer Ring. All charges are at today's prices. Regular users of the system would be able to opt for an account.

The charging system would be a simple-to-use card reader. When the vehicle crosses the charging point, the charge is deducted from the card. Infrequent users can register for a scheme enabling them to pre-pay.

One of the key drivers behind the development of the Greater Manchester TIF bid is evidence which demonstrates that road congestion would be a significant barrier to Greater Manchester's future economic growth.

NOTE: The “Intermediate Ring” has not yet been defined. However at one recent presentation the line of the Inner Relief Road was referred to as a possible position.