Integration & Smartcards

Joining it all up

One ticket, one journey
The central thinking on the TIF bid is the need to get all forms of transport in Greater Manchester working together. We are committed to working with operators towards the introduction of a smartcard, like London's Oystercard, which would allow passengers to move from one type of public transport to another without having to buy an extra ticket.

Interchanges
Stockport town centre is already a major transport hub and an important strategic interchange for local, regional and national travel.

To improve facilities and reduce congestion, the town's outdated bus station will be replaced with a multi-million pound state-of-the-art interchange bringing together bus and heavy rail and safeguarding for a potential future Metrolink service. This new interchange will provide a significant boost to Stockport's public transport network and allow passengers to change buses more conveniently.

Wigan town centre is currently served by two railway stations - Wigan North Western and Wigan Wallgate - and a number of nearby bus stops. The TIF package will transform public transport facilities around Wigan Wallgate and Wigan North Western railway stations. A high quality public transport interchange will be created, integrating both stations and the bus facilities. Waiting areas for bus passengers, information for all transport users and links between the two rail stations will be improved to high standards.

In Altrincham the station will be transformed and brought up to modern day standards. New canopies will be built over the platforms and better passenger facilities such as a cafe, newsagents and public toilets will be built and a new travelshop, passenger lounge and staff facilities will be created. The new interchange will provide an attractive fit-for-purpose transport hub and will also help drive the regeneration of the town centre.

The Bolton Interchange project will deliver a high quality facility to bring together public transport types in one integrated location. The re-siting of the bus station closer to Bolton train station will provide better links to bus and train routes, making it easier to move from one to the other.

Rochdale
The extended tram network will run through the town to terminate at the new transport interchange.

In the City Centre, major new bus interchanges will be created at Mayfield, Chorlton Street and Parker Street. Bus routes would be planned so that they start and end at these interchanges and the existing facility at Shudehill. The interchanges would offer passengers secure, high quality facilities and easy links to other transport. Salford Central train station would also be linked more closely to the bus network.