Great Manchester (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The mayor of Manchester has implied he ‘knows nothing about Glasgow’ after offering to assist in transforming the city. The statements come from the chief executive of McGill’s buses who stated they will fight Mayor Andy Burnham and SPT over plans.
What prompted Andy Burnham to offer assistance to Glasgow’s bus system?
Burnham visited Larbert’s Alexander Dennis Bus station where the latest zero-emission buses are being built for the city’s integrated public transport network, the Bee Network. Buses for Liverpool’s Mersey Travel network will also go into the show at the site later this year.
Why does Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham believe public management of buses is beneficial?
Andy Burnham stated taking buses under public management is the “right thing to do” and even offered to “come and help”. He said: “Scottish-built buses are on our roads and the feedback from the public is competent. “I noticed that Glasgow has taken a judgment to go down the same path, and my offer for individuals in Glasgow or anywhere in Scotland, is that we’ll come and help. It’s not bragging, but we’ve got the expertise, we’ve been through it. And not everything went quite to plan, we made mistakes. All of that learning, we’re ready to share with everybody as we are certain it’s the right thing to do.
“It’s a much better arrangement for the public; when the public authorities determine which routes will be running when the public management decide what the fares should be, when the public authorities choose, ‘no, we want electric buses on our highways, buses that have less noise, less smog, this just makes the whole public transport system nicely.”
How has McGill’s CEO reacted to Andy Burnham’s offer to help Glasgow?
McGill’s, the largest independent bus company in Scotland which is held by billionaire brothers the Easdales, has responded furiously to the franchising programs, claiming the standard of bus service delivery in Glasgow is already “a high bar”. CEO Ralph Roberts, who previously argued it would command the taxpayer £100m a year, responded to Burnham’s offer by saying the mayor “understands nothing about Glasgow” and said his company is willing to “fight” SPT on the franchising plans.
How does McGill’s view the potential impact of bus franchising on their business in Glasgow?
He stated: “McGill’s are against the SPT endeavour to franchise bus services in Glasgow by default. Not because we are against franchising, or SPT and councils desiring more control, but it means a business takeover for McGill’s. McGill’s is a business that’s family controlled and it has been built up over several years with significant investment from the family.
“The benchmark of bus service delivery in Glasgow is not down, it’s a high bar. So SPT would make the case it’s broken, they’ve already said publicly it’s broken. It’s not broken, if the satisfaction levels are so high.
“The mayor of Manchester is keen to express that Glasgow should follow Manchester. The mayor of Manchester comprehends nothing about Glasgow. We’re going to resist it. Legally, obviously, through the tribunals. And that is the only recourse we have unrestricted to us. Thankfully there are securities within the legislation, and we will pursue those securities to the fullest extent. The case for franchising, or more control, is a false case.”