Children and young people across Greater Manchester will benefit from unlimited free bus travel on the Bee Network this summer.
As part of the government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign, children aged five to 15 can travel for free in England, including on Bee Network bus services, throughout August.
In addition to this, 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester will be able to activate their Our Pass one month earlier (from 1 August instead of 1 September), giving them an extra month of free bus and cheaper tram travel.
The move means that all young people in Greater Manchester will be entitled to free bus travel for the whole month, with under-5s travelling free on the Bee Network all year round.
So, whether visiting the Imperial War Museum at Salford Quays, soaking up the sun in Heaton Park, or shopping at the Arndale in Manchester, all under-18s in Greater Manchester can travel for free on Bee Network buses this August.
Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said:
“We’re pleased to be taking part in the Greater British Summer Savings scheme which will mean free bus travel on the Bee Network for everyone aged five to 15 in August. This will help make days out more affordable for families this summer.
“To complement this national scheme, we are allowing Our Pass to be activated one month early which means no young person in Greater Manchester will miss out. The Bee Network is all about making it easier and more affordable to get around Greater Manchester and this national scheme will help us do just that.”
The government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which is aimed at making days out more affordable for families this summer, was announced earlier this year.
The scheme offers 5 to 15-year-olds free travel on participating local bus services in England throughout August and will be available on all Bee Network buses in Greater Manchester.
No registration or sign-up is required to benefit from the Summer Savings scheme on the Bee Network, anyone aged between five and 15 can just ask the driver for a free ticket as they board the bus.
In addition to the national Summer Savings scheme, 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester will be able to activate their Our Pass a month earlier than usual this year.
Launched in 2019, Our Pass is currently used by more than 50,000 young people across Greater Manchester who are entitled to free bus travel and some half-price tram tickets.
Anyone who was aged between 16 and 18 on 31 August 2026 and is a resident of Greater Manchester is eligible to apply for a digital Our Pass via the Bee Network app, with a one-off £10 admin fee.
Once approved, the Our Pass can be activated from 1 August, instead of 1 September – and for those who apply after August 1, once approved, it can be activated immediately.
