Cllr Sean Anstee and Changyu Yang a GMP apprentice who has taken up the offer of a 28-days free TfGM travel pass. Longsight Police Station

Greater Manchester’s apprentices can enjoy a cheaper commute, thanks to an offer from the region’s transport and political leaders.

The scheme, run by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), means apprentices based in the region can now receive a free bike or 28-day travel pass to help them on their trip to and from work.

Eligible apprentices, who can struggle with transport costs as they are not entitled to discounted travel, can apply for the free 28-day travel pass – valid on all Metrolink trams and most bus services within Greater Manchester.

For those who prefer their commute on two wheels, the Apprentice Bike to Work scheme provides a free refurbished bike, cycle training and bike maintenance courses from TfGM. The bikes also come with cycling accessories and safety equipment such as lights and helmets.

They are also entitled to a Personalised Travel Plan (PTP) which, by answering a few simple questions, will give them advice on the best way to commute to their workplace.

Councillor Sean Anstee, GMCA’s Vice Chair and Lead Member for Skills, Employment and Apprenticeships, praised the initiative: “Cost has been identified as the biggest barrier to travel in Greater Manchester for young people.

“This is amplified for apprentices, the majority of whom don’t receive discounted tickets and have to spend a significant proportion of their apprenticeship wage each day in order to travel between home and their workplace.

“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills, earn a wage and achieve a qualification while working, but for some the cost prohibits this opportunity.

“This offer is an important step to balance out those travel costs whilst encouraging sustainable travel through the use of public transport or cycling.

“Cycling, in particular, is a healthy, low-cost and practical way of getting to work and key to reducing congestion and carbon emissions in the region.

“It’s simple for apprentices to apply for, and they even get to keep the bike once their apprenticeship has finished.”

All applications should be made through apprenticeship providers who are registered with TfGM. For more information about the scheme, including provider registration, please visit www.tfgm.com/apprentices.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here