GM Buses fights back
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• Despite having to face cuts of over £5 million in its budget for 1987/88, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority says it is determined to push ahead with as many planned improvements and additions to the subsidised network as possible, and also maintain its concessionary fares scheme and to provide for special needs transport.
Total resources available to the PTA for 1987/88 amount to £78.8 million, which includes the Government block grant and the levying of a maximum precept on the ten districts of 12.9p in the pound, agreed last week. The maximum levy represents a 35% reduction compared with last year.
As the PTA is rate-capped, the Government can now dictate on financial matters and on the amount it can levy ratepayers within its regions.
According to PTA chairman Guy Harkin "We have been forced to make these cuts by the Government, but we will make sure that this does not mean any deterioration in the quality of service. Despite the cuts one of our prime concerns is to preserve the 12p concessionary fare."
Among the cuts approved by the PTA include a reduction of £2 million for bus network improvements, £1 million off the concessionary fares scheme and a cut of 2350,000 in the Special Needs transport budget.
Restructuring is taking place at GM Buses, where the company's four regions are being reorganised into three areas, in an attempt to streamline staffing levels, and save up to 2300,000 each year.
The North, South, East and West regions will be organised as South area, East area and West area.
South area will be controlled by Ian Bradshaw, based in Stockport, who will control the depots at Altrincham, Hyde Road, Princess Road and Stockport.
East area will be controlled by Robert Tait, based in Oldham, who will control the depots at Glossop, Oldham, Queens Road, Rochdale and Tameside.
West area is under the control of Atherton-based Jim Hulme, who has control of depots at Atherton, Bolton, Bury, Swinton and Wigan.
GM Buses says no services or depots will be cut as a result of the reorganisation, but there will be cuts in staffing levels, both through natural wastage and, if necessary, through voluntary redundancy.