Good morning members — today’s newsletter explores some of the arguments for and against bus franchising in Greater Manchester.

A few weeks ago, we published an interview with Sir Richard Leese, the longtime leader of Manchester City Council, about why he believes so strongly in re-regulating buses. If you missed that post, it’s well worth reading.

Today’s piece dives into a bit more detail: what do experts, campaigners and the bus operators think of the proposals to introduce London-style franchising in GM?

Before that: Do you work in a primary school in Manchester (not GM, but Manchester specifically)? Would you mind dropping us a quick email so we can ask you a few questions for a story we are working on? It’s not about testing, Covid or vaccinations, and you will be helping anonymously.

• Please either hit reply to this newsletter or email joshi@manchestermill.co.uk.