Steer appointed to key lots on Transport for Greater Manchester’s new Transport Professional Services Framework

Steer is delighted to announce its successful appointment to Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM’s) new Transport Professional Services Framework (2025–2029). 

This achievement highlights Steer’s continued leadership in delivering strategic, evidence-based transport solutions that support the region’s ambitions for a more sustainable and integrated transport system.

Alongside TfGM and the ten Greater Manchester local authorities, the framework is available for use by all combined authorities, local authorities and other public sector bodies in the North West, North East, Yorkshire, East Midlands and West Midlands regions.

What is the Transport Professional Services Framework (2025–2029)?

The framework, valued at up to £120 million, is a key part of TfGM’s strategy to deliver high-quality consultancy services across a wide range of transport disciplines, with a particular focus on delivering its ambitious £2.5bn City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) programme. It will support the delivery of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network aspirations, including enhancements to active travel, bus, rail, Metrolink and infrastructure planning.

Steer has secured appointments on the following framework Lots:

• Lot 3: Commercial and Financial Advice
• Lot 4: Quantitative and Qualitative Research
• Lot 10: Design & Engineering Services – Streets for All

Steer’s role in Greater Manchester so far

These wins reflect Steer’s deep expertise in transport economics, policy research, and inclusive street design and position the firm to continue to play a central role in shaping Greater Manchester’s future mobility landscape. Steer’s appointment builds on the successful delivery of many high-profile projects during the last framework period, led by Steer’s local Manchester office, such as:

• Rail network capacity assessments in Central and South Manchester
• Defining plans for Quality Bus Transit (QBT) on major orbital corridors, including in Salford, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside
• Leading the design of bus and Streets for All connectivity improvements on major radial corridors into Manchester City Centre
• Planning the future of bus routing and termination in the city centre
• Evaluating and identifying lessons learnt from the implementation of Greater Manchester’s largest transport investments, including the Trafford Park Metrolink Line, the Leight-Salford-Manchester Guided Busway, and the franchising of the bus network.

Steer’s success on the framework is underpinned by its strategic alliance with Arcadis. On both Lot 4 and Lot 10, Steer has partnered with Arcadis to combine each organisation’s complementary strengths to offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary service offering to TfGM and the other framework authorities. 

As part of the Steer-Arcadis alliance, Arcadis (supported by Steer) was also successful on:

• Lot 2: Transport Analysis, Strategic Modelling and Economics
• Lot 11: Design & Engineering Services – Buildings
• Lot 16 – Multi-Disciplinary

“We are proud to be part of this important framework and to continue our long-standing relationship with TfGM,” said Nicola Kane, Director at Steer.

“Our success, both as a Steer team and in partnership with Arcadis, reflects our shared commitment to delivering innovative, people-centred transport solutions that support Greater Manchester’s growth and sustainability goals.”