Previous Articles
Services To Hospitals and Health Centres
Bus Operators and Services
Most bus services in Greater Manchester are provided on a profit making basis by private bus companies. These commercial bus operators can withdraw or change any service with only a few weeks' notice and are, by law, unable to operate services, or parts of a service, that don't generate profit. However, GMPTA funds many services which operate early morning, late evening or at weekends and in smaller, geographically isolated areas where only small numbers of passengers are likely to travel at any time.
GMPTE administers invitations to tender and lets contracts to bus operators across the whole of Greater Manchester where these are used by members of the general public. Such services are financially supported from GMPTA budgets and fares paid but must still represent value for money.
There are four Service Planning Officers who have responsibility to co-ordinate services across given geographical areas. They work particularly closely with all commercial bus operators in the area and the local authority to identify possible changes to the existing bus network. They work also with highways agencies, the police and other agencies to ensure that the supporting mechanisms are in place to support the services.
Health colleagues who wish to discuss existing bus services or changes to bus services should contact the Service Planning Department by e-mail as follows:
Development Projects
GMPTE officers are also involved in developing new services and other solutions which ensure that an attractive package of benefits is available and which address issues of social and economic inclusion. These can be based around health, employment, access to fresh food, education and training.
Development Officers work in conjunction with stakeholders to identify new opportunities which may be based on new health centres or ways of providing health care, for example where outpatient clinics are devolved to new health centres.
New schemes are subject to consultation and detailed negotiation with stakeholders about the service. Stakeholders usually include the health care provider, the local authority, local communities, conventional bus operators, community transport operators and regeneration bodies. Such projects are usually funded through bidding to external funding bodies because of budgetary pressures.
Development of any proposed scheme will include: all aspects of the service; highways or infrastructure improvements; fares and ticketing initiatives; publicity and promotion; monitoring and evaluation. External funding is usually secured by GMPTE.
New services may be delivered by commercial bus companies, community transport operators or taxi companies, depending on the likely number of passengers. Most services are subject to competitive tender, although it is possible in certain circumstances for a grant to be awarded to a community organisation where added-value can be secured.
DRT AND INTEGRATED SERVICES
Demand Responsive Transport offers door to door services within a defined geographical area and may use any combination of service provider. Journeys are booked through a call centre (local rate), the details of which are communicated to the driver. Most journeys must be booked in this way, although it is possible for ad hoc journeys at hospitals to be made because of regular departures are possible which cater for outpatients who do not know what time they need to travel.
Currently, GMPTE is working in partnership with Local Authorities, Social Services, social needs transport organisations, and GMAS to optimise the use of vehicles, thus providing more opportunities for DRT. These initiatives remain at an early stage.
Health colleagues who have queries about development projects, or who would like to discuss possibilities, are requested to contact the Development Section at
Dated: 9 November 2004