(26 May 2016, 11:16 am)Andreos1 wrote https://twitter.com/passtrans/status/735775831616692225

Manchester to be the first to take up offer?

And by saying "Manchester" rather than *Greater* Manchester, you have stumbled on one of the main reasons why TFGM/C are pushing for it. Both First and more recently, Stagecoach have become more Manchester-centric, not only with their services, but their bleating to the media about congestion. And now Arriva have started cutting again, only for TFGMC to step in straight away with tax-payers' money to maintain a link to the fast growing Airport. the subsidised services budget is being cut by 12% year on year, so the last thing GM's non motorists need is further cuts in commercial services, whilst millions are being thrown at a futile bus war across the city centre. The catalyst for all this was the sale of Finglands to First.