Sandra, Eccles "One dark, wet and cold evening recently after a rather long day of travelling when I was longing to be home and having hot meal, I was standing at a bus stop for around 45 minutes. In that time there should have been two buses at least to my destination...a franchising (regulated) system cannot come soon enough for me so every area in Greater Manchester is served more fairly and also at less cost.''

Mark, Chorlton: ''Our buses just aren't fit for purpose. Try going from suburb to suburb, and it's really difficult, and now they want to increase fares well above the rate of inflation.

"If Andy Burnham were to re-regulate the buses, not only would we have price controls but also the power to make our transport system meet the needs of people and environment."

Carolyn, South Manchester: "In London, everyone catches the bus whereas in Greater Manchester it's a kind of last resort" "They're also expensive and the ticketing system is ridiculous; you stand for ten minutes while people are paying the driver..."

Fatima, Manchester: ‘As a student, I heavily rely on public transportation, not only to get me to my classes, but to everything else too, like my job, and my extracurricular activities such as volunteering. I volunteer at a local temporary shelter, where I look after children, and I need reliable buses to count on when life is too busy.’

Winnie, Manchester: "When I first arrived in Manchester as an exchange student, I was extremely confused by the city's bus system. Ticket costs seemed to change constantly, even doubling from one day to the next. Only later would I find out about the 10+ companies that operate here with different prices and routes. Many European places, like my hometown Vienna, have adopted a system where the municipality is responsible for and regulates public transport. It might not be perfect, but it is at least reliable for passengers. People living, working and studying in Manchester deserve the same."