A transport campaigner has been praised for his efforts to make Greater Manchester’s public transport more accessible.
The final phase of bus franchising in Greater Manchester was rolled out on January 6, bringing all services under local control as part of the Bee Network.
Nathaniel Yates, 31, who has cerebral palsy and a visual impairment, has been fighting for better access across public transport.
He attended a special event on January 6 to mark the completion of the bus franchising, where he met Mayor Andy Burnham and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
Mr Yates said: “In recent years, I’ve campaigned for step-free access at rail stations in Greater Manchester, but I’m a regular bus user too and, like many disabled people, I’ve faced challenges when trying to get around on public transport in the past.
“That’s why I have been excited to see how the Bee Network will make transport services more accessible for people like me.”
Mr Yates continues to advocate for improved access across public transport (Image: Supplied)
Mayor Andy Burnham said: “Nathaniel continues to be a brilliant advocate for disabled people in Greater Manchester and it was a pleasure to have him join us to celebrate our historic Bee Network milestone on Monday, alongside the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander.
“Accessibility and inclusion are key commitments for the Bee Network and people like Nathaniel are really important in helping us understand how we can continue to improve public transport for everybody.”
As a result of investment into the Bee Network, hundreds of new and accessible vehicles are now on the roads.
By the Spring, more than half of Bee Network buses will be new, all with ‘enhanced accessibility’ features, including two wheelchair bays and audio-visual announcements.