00:00 The first B Network buses will launch in parts of Greater Manchester from Sunday 24 September.
00:07 Bus services in Bolton, Wigan, parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester will be under local
00:12 control for the first time in 40 years.
00:16 Transport for Greater Manchester says the B Network will eventually be the one-stop
00:20 shop for all local public transport and active travel journeys.
00:24 The new transport network for the region hopes to bring all Greater Manchester buses under
00:28 public control by 2025.
00:31 With the B Network set to launch in a few days, you may have seen some bright yellow
00:34 buses driving around Manchester, gearing up for the big day.
00:39 We talked to local people to find out what they think about the new London-style integrated
00:43 transport network system in Greater Manchester.
00:46 "I know the London transport system in general, I used to live in London so I do know a lot
00:51 about that kind of system anyway.
00:54 That makes me feel very reassured because we need a bit more of a better system.
00:59 I've missed two door buses, let's just say that.
01:03 I have heard little bits about it, I've seen some of the B buses going around and obviously
01:07 have the tram system as well.
01:09 I think it's a lot better just because obviously London is so advanced in everything.
01:14 Obviously London gets everything first so it's kind of like the tester city for everyone
01:19 else.
01:20 I think it will make it a lot better just because it will make everything a lot more
01:23 accessible.
01:24 Everyone has different zones in the transport system like I've seen on the tram, just like
01:27 London.
01:28 So I think this one ticket system will make everything a bit better, a bit easier for
01:32 everyone to get around.
01:34 Some people might live in Fallowfield, some people might live in Ordsall like myself.
01:37 So it's very much, I think it will make the city more accessible for people who aren't
01:41 able to either walk there or can't afford to get an Uber or something like that."
01:46 "Now you might have seen the big yellow buses around, say the B network on the side."
01:50 "Yes I have, yeah.
01:51 Right, okay, now I have, yeah.
01:52 I know what you mean."
01:53 "So you've seen the B?"
01:54 "Yes, I have, yeah."
01:55 "What do you think of the big yellow buses around Fallowfield?"
01:58 "Distracting in a good way because it gets your attention but I don't take the bus so
02:03 I've just seen it as in 'wow, what is this?'
02:06 I would say Manchester is a strong network itself.
02:09 We've got a really good community, we've got great people, my communities are great.
02:12 I wouldn't say be like London, I would say take some of their positives and adopt that
02:18 like we said with the network.
02:20 So yes it will help because it will help people get from various places to work, to commute
02:26 and obviously depending on price, if it is a reasonable price then yes it will help to
02:32 the cost of living crisis because not only will the price be less hopefully, it can help
02:37 someone get to a place of work which they may not be able to reach."
02:41 "Yeah, it feels more like London, tap on, tap off kind of thing.
02:43 The only real way of getting from A to B in the city is an Uber because you either have
02:49 to get a bus to get a tram which can be a little bit of a nightmare if it's not readily
02:56 available.
02:57 So if there's more routes from a different network then that would be great, yeah."
03:02 "Everything will be a bit more accessible."
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