At the start of April 2011, Transport for Greater Manchester came into being after the former Greater Manchester PTE was rebranded following the awarding of additional powers. Over the past ten years there have been many hugely successful projects implemented by TfGM – and many of these have impacted on the Manchester Metrolink network which has seen major expansion over the last decade.
Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive Officer of TfGM, said: “This is a ignificant 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. 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% 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.”
Over the past decade projects which have been delivered include:
- The £1.5 billion expansion of Metrolink with new lines opening to Rochdale via Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury and Manchester Airport
- The £350 million Trafford Park line opening in March 2020
- New transport interchanges in Rochdale, Ashton, Altrincham, Wythenshawe and Bolton – most of which are served by Metrolink.
- 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 anti social behaviour on public transport
While some of these projects had their gestation under GMPTE, TfGM had led their successful implementation – and they’ve not stopped yet!
Until 1st April 2011, the organisation was known as GMPTE with this coming into being during 1974. Previous to that it had operated the South East Lancashire/North East Cheshire Passenger Transport Executive (SELNEC) after the introduction of the Transport Act (1968).