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Freedom of Information Act 2000

Publication Scheme

Our full title and address for requesting information is:

Information Officer
GMPTE
2 Piccadilly Place,
Manchester
M1 3BG

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Classes of information published by GMPTE
3. What we do: Functions of GMPTE
4. Classes of Information Currently Published
5. Making an application for other Information to GMPTE
6. Applications for information after January 2005 under FOIA

Complaints and Feedback
Useful website addresses

1. Introduction

What a publication scheme is and why it has been developed

One of the aims of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (which is referred to as FOIA in the rest of this document) is that public authorities should be clear and proactive about the information they will make public. To do this they must produce a publication scheme, setting out:

  • The classes of information which they publish or intend to publish;
  • The manner in which the information will be published; and
  • Whether the information is available free of charge or on payment.

GMPTE's publication scheme consists of information already published and held by GMPTE or information which is to be published in the future. That means that all information in our publication scheme is either available for you on our website to download and print off or available in traditional document form and alternative formats such as in Braille or on tape. Information within the publication scheme will be available either free or at a charge - we explain which is free or which will be provided at a charge later in this scheme.

Whilst we will strive to make all information public there maybe some information we cannot make available.

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2. Classes of information published by GMPTE

The publication scheme guides you to information which we currently publish (or have recently published) or which we will publish in the future - this is split into 'classes' of information.

The 'classes' of information currently published are contained in section 4 of this Scheme. Details of how the information is or will be published are set out in the same section.

The classes in the scheme are grouped, for ease of reference, under three main headings. Under each heading there is a list of the information which we publish which relates to that subject.

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3. What we do: Functions of GMPTE

GMPTE is responsible for the co-ordination of public transport in Greater Manchester. It is accountable to GMITA, which is made up of nominated elected members from the local authorities of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

Although GMPTE does not run any transport services directly, it purchases rail and some bus services from private operators and it is responsible for planning, securing and franchising of the Metrolink tram system. It also provides region-wide information, manages the funding and administration of concessionary fares, provides bus shelters and stops and operates bus stations and Travelshops throughout the region

As well as operating these facilities, it funds, promotes and manages transport initiatives ranging from rural bus services to major investments, such as Transport Interchanges.

GMPTE's primary goal is to provide the people of Greater Manchester with the best possible public transport network: integrated, accessible and safe; high quality and which provides an attractive alternative to the private car.

More specifically we aim:

  1. To provide a realistic alternative to the car that will encourage a shift in people's mode of travel
  2. To provide quality transport for those without the use of a car to enable them to access jobs, education, shops, healthcare and other facilities
  3. To provide good public transport services linking businesses to employees and customers
  4. To make provision for elderly members of our community and people with disabilities who are less able to access mainstream services

GMPTE also:

  • Pays for socially necessary local bus services that cannot be provided commercially
  • Specifies, pays for, develops and monitors local rail services
  • Provides bus stops and shelters and operates bus stations and Travelshops or centres throughout Greater Manchester
  • Administers and funds a comprehensive concessionary fare scheme
  • Promotes equal access to public transport for all
  • Co-ordinates and promotes activities to achieve better integrated public transport services
  • Provides travel information
  • Administers the Prepaid Ticket Scheme
  • Plans investment in transport infrastructure and services ranging from shared taxi services in rural areas to major investments such as interchanges
  • Consults the public, helping local people shape the future of public transport services
  • Actively promotes local public transport services and transport information

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4. Classes of Information Currently Published

Policies & Strategies

Format of production:
Paper, electronic

Format of production:
Website

Operations & Services

Format of production:
Paper

Format of production:
Electronic

Format of production:
Website

Corporate Information*

Format of production:
Paper

  • Anti-fraud & Corruption Guide
  • Car User Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Confidential Reporting Policy
  • IT Users Policy
  • Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Flexi Scheme
  • Grievance Procedure
  • Health & Safety Policy
  • Leave Entitlements
  • Maternity/Paternity Policy
  • Recruitment & Selection Policy
  • Relocation Allowances
  • Salary Scales
  • Leave Entitlements
  • Sickness Absence Policy
  • Smoking Policy
  • Job Sharing Policy
  • Learning and Development Policy
  • Application forms (blank)
  • Vacancies/Adverts
  • Vision Statement
  • Annual Review
  • Statement of Accounts
  • Structure of Organisation
  • District Audit Report
  • District Audit Management Letter

Format of production:
Website

* some information might be confidential or exempt from publication by law - we cannot therefore publish this

GMPTE maintains a website at www.gmpte.com and has an ongoing commitment to make as much information available on our website as possible.

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5. Making an application for other Information to GMPTE

Charges for Supplying Information

Details of whether a charge applies for the information you require will be advised on request. A fees notice will be forwarded to you in advance.

Information provided at a cost

Information provided for a fee will attract the following charges:

  • Photocopying charges of 10p per page plus an administration fee of £3.00 plus postage.
  • The fees of external printers where GMPTE does not have the equipment to copy large items.

If the information can and is supplied electronically no charges will be levied.

No charges will be made where a request for information is refused or a claim is lodged against a refusal to supply information.

As well as being able to access information which is publicly available under the Publication Scheme we will answer queries under the existing Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. This allows you to write and ask us to supply you with specific information.

You can also apply for a copy of the personal data we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998 - that is information relating to an applicant that has arisen through their employment with GMPTE or information obtained about an individual through GMPTE's statutory functions. There is a fee of ?10 and you should contact GMPTE's data protection officer.

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6. Applications for information after January 2005 under FOIA

After January 2005 you will be able to ask GMPTE for information which is not already published elsewhere nor exempt under the FOIA. Under the FOIA you will have the right to ask for information to be provided in a particular way and we will try to meet your request. You will be able to ask for assistance if you have any difficulty in formulating or making an application by contacting GMPTE's Information Officer. We will help you as much as possible but we are not required to look for the information you request unless we have:

  • a clear and understandable request with enough detail to locate the information;
  • your name and address so we can respond to your request; and
  • an indication about the form in which you want the information.

This will ensure that your application is dealt with as quickly as possible. You should give as much detail as you can in order to assist us in locating the information that you require Some documents may include exempt information so you will only get the information which is not exempt. You only have a right to information and not necessarily to documents. Some documents may include exempt information so you will only get the information from them which is not exempt.

Any fee charged will be calculated by looking at the costs directly and reasonably incurred locating the information you have asked for and giving it to you. You will then be sent a 'fees notice' which you will have to pay within three months of your request - you will not receive information until you have paid the costs in the fees notice.

If the estimated cost of providing the information would be above the appropriate limit set by the government then we will not be under a duty to provide the information. However, the Authority will inform you if the limit will be exceeded and we will try to let you know what can be provided within the limit. Despite not being obliged to provide information which exceeds the limit the Authority will still be under a duty to advise and assist.

In order to protect GMPTE there will be rules which govern multiple applications for information which are clearly trying to avoid the financial limits set by the government. However, we will try to help you as much as possible to get the information you want.

Click here to go to the online request form

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Complaints and Feedback

If you want to make any comments about this publication scheme or if you require further assistance or need to make a complaint then initially this should be addressed to GMPTE's Information Officer at the address shown at the top of this page.

If you are not satisfied with the assistance that you get from GMPTE or if we have not been able to resolve your complaint and you feel that a formal complaint needs to be made then this should be addressed to the office of the Information Commissioner. This is the organisation that ensure compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and that deals with formal complaints.

They can be contacted at:

FOI Compliance Team (complaints)
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
or
Enquiry/Information Line
01625 545 745

E Mail
mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk

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Useful website addresses

The information you are looking for may also be available from the following organisations or on their websites. The websites listed below are an excellent source of information and if the documents are downloaded or printed off by the enquirer they provide a quick response at little cost.

However, GMPTE takes no responsibility nor warrants the accuracy of information contained on the following sites:

This information will be made available in other languages and in other formats such as in larger print or on audio cassette upon request.

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