(31 Jan 2019, 9:10 pm)Tamesider wrote Metrolink is a complicated one as yes, it does skew the figures a bit, but the decline in GM has been more constant than just coinciding with Metrolink extensions/abstractions. Of course, the irony is that only a tiny minority of people can readily access the system.

TBH, the TFGM document is overkill in that the vast majority of commercial changes are minor (odd journeys withdrawn or retimed earlier) or outside their remit anyway (10 minute service reduced to 12, but first and last buses roughly the same times), so rather than repeating "No further Action at this stage" for dozens and dozens of services, they should just list minor commercial changes

ENCTS is another example of conditions varying drastically between areas. In purely financial terms it is much less of a problem in GM because the gap between Retirement Age and Life Expectency is closing rapidly. And that's before you get into "Active Life" Expectancy. Also, arguably its not that much of a perk; On weekdays, Concessionary holders can't really travel very far with off-peak running speeds often in single figures (mph) and wanting to get home before the schools finish at c.1415-1430.

I dare say Metrolink abstraction from bus ridership will continue for years to come, if the GM Transport Plan is realised. For summarise for anyone that's not seen it - the plan is to turn every lamppost in Greater Manchester into a tram stop. The counter argument to your concern Metrolink stops are less accessible than bus stops would be the greater appeal of trams over buses. It's been proven time over that passengers will walk further from their origin to reach a tram than they would tolerate walking to a bus stop. Of course there is a legitimate concern about passengers with mobility restrictions, in this situation I think the fairest use of resources is a limited mini-bus or local-link feeder service into Metrolink. 

The expansion of Metrolink seems to be the best way to please the majority of the people. Public transport passengers may have to walk a but further, but they get a more consistent (if not always faster) journey time to the city. This can be achieved with less visible impact to the road network for the motorist, keeping that lobby happy. I'd love to see greater bus priority in the city, but realistically what can be done?

I think Stagecoach can see this coming and this is demonstrated by the recent 168/150 changes. They're trying to remove the necessity for a city centre change (and a temptation to switch to tram over the X50) from the east of GM to Trafford on this new direct route before Metrolink Trafford Park opens, to hell with the local links provided by the previous set-up.