'He can't afford it': Tory mayor questions Andy Burnham's vision for London-style bus system

Andy Burnham' s vision for a London-style bus system in Greater Manchester has been questioned by a leading Northern Tory who says the mayor can't afford to make the plan a reality without government support.

Tees Valley metro mayor Ben Houchen predicted his Greater Manchester counterpart would try and blame the Government if he was unable to continue with a £2 maximum cap on single fares and £5 for day passes.

And he told a Conservative Party conference fringe event that Labour mayor Mr Burnham needed to "take responsibility" for paying for his bus strategy rather than picking a "massive fight" with government.

But Mr Burnham's office said the Tees Valley mayor's analysis was "incorrect" and that "Greater Manchester has already successfully introduced our new capped fares, with support from the Government".

Read more: Yellow buses, weekly fare caps and better policing: Andy Burnham's Bee Network unveiled

Greater Manchester's lower fares, brought in to get people out of cars and onto public transport, are being funded with the help of central government funding through the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

The fare structure will be reviewed annually to make sure it is financially sustainable due to "the considerable uncertainty over public transport funding going forward".

A new franchising system for buses, where companies bid for contracts to run routes chosen by local leaders, will start in Wigan and Bolton next September and be rolled out across the city-region by the end of 2024.

The London-style system known as the Bee Network will be paid for by a mixture of local and national funding as well as - local leaders hope - increased takings from passengers buying tickets.

Asked about Greater Manchester's bus franchising