'Brilliant news for the people of Greater Manchester': Judge dismisses appeal against Andy Burnham's major bus reforms

Andy Burnham has won a legal appeal over his plans to bring Greater Manchester's buses under public control by next year. Diamond Bus owner Rotala appealed a ruling by a judge earlier this year which gave the Greater Manchester mayor the green light for his sweeping reforms.

However, the Court of Appeal has today unanimously rejected the appeal and upheld the High Court's original decision. The mayor has hailed the ruling as "brilliant news for the people of Greater Manchester".

In the franchising scheme, which is set to start in Wigan and Bolton next year before serving the whole city-region by the end of 2024, bus operators would bid to run services, giving local leaders control of fares and ticketing. They would be the first outside London to have this power in more than 30 years – and other regions are looking to follow suit with government support.

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The mayor's plans to bring buses back under public control for first time since 1986 was set in motion five years ago, but faced a legal challenge by bus firms. In March, a judge dismissed claims by bus firms Stagecoach and Rotala that Mr Burnham's decision, and the process followed, were 'unlawful' and 'irrational'.

Since then, the mayor's office has been pressing ahead with plans to launch the Bee Network - the integrated London-style transport system which Mr Burnham is creating with the government's backing - by September 17, 2023. This includes announcing a new flat fare structure of £2 fares for adults and £1 for children travelling on a single journey and £5 day tickets for all operators.

Mr Burnham has also proposed introducing these