A 'landmark' moment is being welcomed in Greater Manchester as the city-region's own transport body has taken over the running of a railway station.
Horwich Parkway has become the first station in the 10 boroughs to be handed over to Transport for Greater Manchester, having been previously owned and operated by Northern Trains Limited.
The station will come under local control from today, February 1, in what Greater Manchester bosses are calling 'a key first step on a journey to transform the region's stations'.
TfGM will be responsible for everything at the station apart from the running of the trains and the tracks.
It means selling tickets, customer service, passenger assistance, cleaning and day-to-day maintenance and long-term renewals and enhancements will be under its remit.
Horwich Parkway will 'act as a blueprint for Greater Manchester’s future approach to station management', which includes working with local partners and the rail industry to 'ensure stations are accessible, have an integrated travel offer and reflect the needs of their communities', says Manchester transport chiefs.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We have long-standing ambitions to transform rail stations in Greater Manchester, managing them for and on behalf of local people.
"Taking over the running of Horwich Parkway is a key first step on that journey.
“More local control over our public transport services is key to Greater Manchester being able to design and deliver a network that is properly joined-up across all forms of transport and contribute to achieving the priorities of the city-region and all the 10 districts.
“We also have ambitions to transform rail services in Greater Manchester, which was set out in Our Prospectus for Rail, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of the long-awaited Williams Review and working with Government to ensure we have a stronger voice in decisions on how services and timetables are designed, specified and operated.”
The Our Prospectus for Rail document set out the long-term vision for the city's rail system, involving taking local control over stations.
TfGM says the prospectus also forms part of Our Network - the 10-year plan to 'create an integrated, simple and convenient public transport system with simple fares and ticketing and an improved customer experience across all types of transport – trains, trams, cycling and walking and buses.'
While Horwich Parkway will be the first rail station that TfGM operate and manage on a day-to-day basis, it has been responsible for all the improvements and renewals at Horwich Parkway since its construction in 1999.
Councillor Stuart Haslam, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We support Greater Manchester’s long-term vision for an integrated transport network that supports sustainable economic growth.
“Horwich Parkway is a vital transport link for our communities and businesses due to its proximity to Middlebrook Retail Park, the University of Bolton Stadium and a growing number of residential properties, and we look forward to working with TfGM to ensure the station continues to meet the changing needs of passengers, residents and visitors.”
