When the results of the Bee Network Tranche 3 contracts were announced, there was a big surprise as London-based Metroline won the majority of the large franchises. Metroline’s Regional CEO for Manchester, Patrick Sibley, speaks to JAMES DAY about how the company gained this new territory, and the work still required to prepare for the takeover.
When Greater Manchester chose to bring bus services into a publicly-controlled franchising environment, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced the contracts in three separate geographically grouped tranches. Five large franchises were announced in the third of these tranches, and four of those were granted to Metroline, a ComfortDelGo (CDG) owned operation which until this year had been confined to London.
It is to take over three depots currently run by Stagecoach -Sharston, Tameside (known locally as Ashton) and the massive Hyde Road depot, which serves as Stagecoach’s head office in the city, as well as the Wythenshawe depot currently under Arriva control. Stagecoach won the remaining large franchise in Tranche 3, which was Stockport, retaining use of its depot there.
The development showed there is no guarantee a franchising system will provi…
