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12:00 am, November 3, 2008
AGMA OKs last details of TIF package

By Simon Binns

A meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities has today signed off the final details of the £2.7bn Transport Innovation Fund package.

There were no major changes to the recommendations made to the meetings, but amendments did include a 20 per cent reduction on public transport fares at peak times for low-paid workers and a daily congestion charge cap of £5. Changes to the congestion-charging boundary were also made in Salford, Oldham, Tameside and Stockport.

Trafford Park was given an exemption from the charge until Metrolink or an alternative is completed.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have been encouraged by the response to consultation, with 86,000 people registering their views.

“These final proposals offer a scheme that is tailored to suit the needs of the people of Greater Manchester. The opportunity for investment of up to £3bn in public transport and congestion charging will be a boost to the regional economy.”

The Yes Campaign welcomed the final agreement on the package. Lis Phelan, chair of The Yes Campaign said: “There will obviously be those who will continue to obsess about every comma and full stop on the ballot, but at last we can get down to debating the real choice facing people in this referendum: lower bus fares, extra seats on trains and a tram system three times the size of the current network; or higher fares, more pollution and more delays.”

Comments? sbinns@crain.com

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