In a move that's a first outside London, passenger transport authority Metro wants to take responsibility for setting routes, fares, timetables and quality standards on bus routes for Leeds.
On LOL! LeedsOnline today, fellow Northerner blogger John Baron writes:
"Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis has described the all-party decision by the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) to continue to develop its plans to introduce a Bus Quality Contracts Scheme as 'good news for the county's bus users'.
You can read the full article here.
While over in Manchester, Dean Kirby at the Manchester Evening News says plans for Oyster-style swipe cards on Metrolink have already been drawn up and could be in place by 2013 after a £32.5m grant was secured.
"The cash is from a government fund promoting 'sustainable travel' which makes it easier for people to use public transport. Regional transport chiefs have earmarked part of the grant to support efforts to introduce smart cards that could be used on all buses, trains and trams."
Read the full story here.
