The future provision of Greater Manchester's bus network looks set to be decided by March.
A public consultation on proposals to take back public control of the region's bus network has now come to a close, with more than 8,000 responses submitted since October.
In a statement on Thursday, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) said all the comments would now be analysed by independent market research agency Ipsos MORI.
A report detailing the findings would follow before Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, decides whether or not to implement the proposed new franchising scheme.
The GMCA said any decision was then expected to be made in March, ahead of the mayoral elections.
The consultation - which comprised of a series of questions - ran from October 14 to January 8 this year and gave people and organisations across Greater Manchester and beyond the chance to comment and share their views on the proposals.
It's launch meant Manchester was the first place in the country to use new devolution powers over buses.
Currently in Greater Manchester, individual bus companies decide their own routes, frequencies, tickets and standards.
In areas where they don't run, the public sector pays to fill in the gaps in the market where it can so services people depend on can continue.
A move away from the current deregulated bus system would mean bus services placed under Greater Manchester's control, mirroring the system in London.
The GMCA would set the routes, frequencies, tickets and standards, while the bus operators would run the services.
Campaigners argued a change would allow buses to better coordinate with the rest of Greater Manchester's public transport network, again like London.
Deputy Mayor Sir Richard Leese said: "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to understand the proposals and respond to the consultation. Throughout this consultation we have met and spoken to people who are passionate about their local bus services and who understand how vital they are for local communities.
"It will be their views that help shape the future of Greater Manchester's bus network.
"The responses are now being analysed and then they will be reported back to GMCA before the mayor makes the final decision. We will make sure that we keep everyone informed on the progress of this process at every step of the way."
But the move has been heavily opposed by operators, who have argued for a jointly controlled network
Elisabeth Tasker, managing director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: "The best and quickest way to deliver the improvements we all want to see in Greater Manchester is for the region's bus operators to work in partnership with the mayor and the Combined Authority to address the roadblocks holding back the bus network.
"Working together will mean a joined up approach to tackling congestion, cleaner air with huge investment in a greener bus fleet, and a more integrated public transport network.
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"It will also give customers simplified tickets that guarantee them the best value for the journeys they make, and avoid unnecessary tax rises for local communities.
"We are ready to work constructively with politicians across Greater Manchester to deliver on our promises and give the region the high quality bus network it needs."
OneBus, the umbrella organisation which represents bus firms, announced a new proposal it called 'partnership plus'.
A new performance regime giving the mayor, the GMCA and bus operators joint control over the network was promised, alongside a simplified ticketing system and 450 new greener buses within three years among other plans.
Gary Nolan, chief Executive of OneBus, said: "Everyone agrees that the public deserve an improved bus system, and we have worked extremely hard to produce a coordinated plan that will provide the service and value that Greater Manchester deserves.
"We have been steadfast in our commitment to deliver improvements without the need for the burden on taxpayers, which we fear the council's franchising proposal will require.
"If public authorities are willing to pool their resources and regional influence with ours so that the network is efficient and sustainable, we make no secret that we are willing to invest our own revenue in the infrastructure needed to introduce the changes we all want to see as quickly as possible.
"A jointly controlled network will bring about the best results more quickly than any other option, and with less cost to taxpayers across the region."
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