Reduce bus passenger numbers to stop Covid spread, says councillor

Coun Stuart Gerrard said he is worried about the rates of infection in nearby Bolton which are the highest in Greater Manchester., with Wigan’s figures rising daily.

Calling for bus numbers to be reduced to the levels during the height of the pandemic, Coun Gerrard, said: “I emailed transport bosses and the GM Mayor to seek some clarity over the passenger numbers on buses that will be coming in and out of Atherton.

“I feel the number allowed on buses should be reduced to the levels during the height of the pandemic, to help stall the spread of the virus to neighbouring towns and and prevent stiffer lockdown measures.”

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it recently secured more than £2m to run nearly 300 additional trips to support children returning to school where demand is greatest.

The money will also fund thousands of extra bus seats so capacity can be higher on buses to aid social distancing .

But TfGM said that under the current system, the majority of Greater Manchester’s bus services are run by commercial operators who are free to decide routes, timetables and set fare levels.

It said it has no say in how these services are run, and is not responsible for planning and coordinating the bus network funded by the 10 authorities across Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s Interim Head of Bus Services, Alison Chew, said: “This is an unprecedented situation, but we are working hard with the various operators across Greater Manchester to make the bus network clean and safe and ensure that government guidance is being followed.

“The increase in infection rates is a stark reminder that we cannot be complacent and that we all have a responsibility to try to limit the spread of coronavirus. I am confident in the measures that are being implemented across the region, but we all have a part to play – particularly as space remains limited on many services.