Operator appeals court ruling allowing buses to be brought under public control

A bus operator which lost a legal battle to stop mayor Andy Burnham taking buses in Greater Manchester back under public control is appealing the ruling. Rotala, which owns Diamond, has lodged an application to the Court of Appeal.

It comes after a judicial review brought by bus firms Stagecoach and Rotala, who claimed Burnham's bid to move to a franchising system where operators have to bid to run services under public control, was 'irrational' and 'unlawful'. However, the judge ruled the decision and the process followed were lawful.

The first phase of the new franchising scheme is set to start in Wigan and Bolton by autumn 2023 and rolled out to the rest of the city-region in 2024. Burnham announced adult fares for single journeys will be capped at £2 and £1 for children under the new system in which all buses will be one uniform colour.

READ MORE: Bus passenger fares to be capped at £2 as part of sweeping reform to public transport in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Combined Authority chief executive Eamonn Boylan told the transport committee on Thursday (March 24) that all bus operators have now been invited to enter negotiations in order to meet this 'ambitious' target. But the appeal by Rotala could delay the rollout of the new franchising system.

He said: "We have written to the court giving our view that there are no grounds upon which the appeal could be upheld, but clearly we're in the hands of the court awaiting a decision on that. We're going to work very, very hard to make sure the whole of the franchise across all three tranches [is rolled out] by the end of 2024.

"Having said that, that's an ambitious timetable. But it's one that we are currently working to."

He added: "We are proceeding