Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is pushing for a national shift towards public control of buses and railways, inspired by the success of Manchester's Bee Network. He argues that returning to public ownership can enhance service delivery and accessibility, contrasting it with the previous deregulated system that he claims neglected public interest.
As the UK government moves towards renationalising rail services, Burnham's approach to franchising buses is gaining traction across northern councils. His vision emphasizes local accountability and integrated transport, aiming to improve public transport standards nationwide.