On Thursday 18th April, we’ll be launching Part One of our new documentary series on the UK Bus Crisis: ‘The Fight for Greater Manchester’s Buses’. The film will be introduced by its co-director Summer Dean, at a panel event hosted by Better Buses for Greater Manchester at the Unison HQ, Manchester from 7:00 – 8:45pm.
The 20-minute documentary looks into the causes of Greater Manchester’s bus crisis, including views from passengers, activists and economists from across the city. It also features an exclusive interview with the MP Daniel Zeichner, who shares his thoughts on the biggest opportunity yet to bring Greater Manchester’s buses back under public control.
Book your free tickets here.
‘The Fight for Greater Manchester’s Buses’ suggests that Andy Burnham’s decision to regulate the bus network under the 2017 Bus Services Act could set a precedent for the entire country. If he goes ahead, he would be the first Mayor to test these new powers; which would give confidence to Mayors in other areas like Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Bristol, and Liverpool City region to follow suit. However, bus companies are expected to resist any move towards regulation – will campaigners have a fight on their hands?
The film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q & A hosted by Pascale Robinson from Better Buses for Greater Manchester. The panel includes; Emily Yates, co-founder of the Association of British Commuters; Luke Raikes, Senior Researcher at IPPR North; Mike Hughes, bus passenger and experienced accessibility campaigner; and John Boughton, Unite regional officer.
Passengers and transport campaigners are invited to get involved in the Better Buses for Greater Manchester campaign to call for better, publicly controlled buses, and the event will conclude with a chance to meet local organisers, with representatives from Rochdale, Manchester, Wigan, Trafford, Bury, Oldham, Stockport, Salford, Tameside and Bolton.
Book your free tickets here.
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