"I wouldn't get into the office on time": Andy Burnham urges people to use buses to get to work... but he can't do it himself

Andy Burnham is urging people to use buses more as he confirms lower fares will be rolled out on all routes across Greater Manchester from September 4. But the mayor said he would not get to work on time if he used the bus himself.

Under the new flat fare structure, single journeys for adults would be capped at £2 and children would pay no more than £1 for each trip from September 4. Day tickets with unlimited travel on all buses would cost £5 for adults and £2 for children while 16 to 18-year-olds can still travel for free using Our Pass.

But Mr Burnham said he cannot guarantee prices will not rise in a year when the caps are reviewed, speaking of uncertainty over the future of services. It comes as 33 bus services could be axed with emergency Covid grants set to expire in October – and the government has said this funding will not continue.

READ MORE: Public won't have a say on latest Clean Air Zone plans until next year

A £15m plan to save the services deemed unprofitable and maintain the frequency of a further 32 routes has now been approved by local leaders. But this relies on operators coming forward to run these routes at a time when the number of passengers using buses is still at 80 pc of pre-pandemic levels.

The Labour mayor has today (August 17) launched a campaign calling on the public to 'Get On Board' and use buses when the lower fares come into force. However, when asked whether he will be getting the bus from his home in Golborne to his office in Manchester city centre, he admitted that he won't.

He said: "I do get public transport all of the time. I just live in an area where I have to get the train because I wouldn't get into the office on time.

"It's just a reflection, I'm afraid, of where the bus