BUS passengers in Greater Manchester can soon enjoy even cheaper travel, thanks to a new package of fare options designed to help residents with the cost of living.
Applications will soon be open for a new annual Bee Network bus ticket available with Greater Manchester’s credit unions, delivering a massive saving of up to £240 over a year. And January will bring further cuts to the cost of 7-day and 28-day tickets.
From Thursday 5th December, people will be able to apply for an annual pass at one of nine different credit unions and spread the cost through weekly or monthly payments.
This latest announcement follows the news that Greater Manchester will keep single bus fares capped at £2 throughout 2025, despite the national cap rising to £3.
The city-region has secured £66.5m in bus funding, which will help keep fares low, a vote of confidence from the Government as the Bee Network prepares to expand in 2025.
Next month, Greater Manchester will become the first region in 40 years to bring all buses back under local control through a franchising model. The process started last year and will be completed on January 5th.
Bringing buses back under local control has enabled Greater Manchester to deliver a cheaper, cleaner, more frequent and reliable service, making it easier for residents to connect with friends and family and access jobs, education and leisure.
As a result, more people are travelling by bus in Greater Manchester and the Bee Network is on track to become the first truly integrated public transport system outside London, providing a blueprint for other regions across the UK.
Last Friday the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham joined Greater Manchester’s leaders in Bolton to update them on preparations for the big day, January 5th.
He also visited Bolton’s Hoot Credit Union, which is preparing for next week’s launch of the new annual bus ticket, which costs £800 for the year and offers passengers unlimited bus travel for the equivalent of just £2.20p a day.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said:
“When most bills are going up, it feels good to be bringing the cost of travel down, supporting our residents and making it easier to access education, jobs and the support they need to get on in life.
“Getting around by public transport has, in the past, been costly. All eyes are on Greater Manchester as we show how keeping costs down and getting more people on board can deliver massive benefits to both our communities and our economy. It’s a model that London has reaped the rewards from for decades.
“We are now seeing the benefits of a joined-up public transport system, controlled by local leaders, come to fruition. Whether more frequent and reliable buses, or new ways to pay for cheaper tickets, our plan for the Bee Network is really coming together.
“The recent funding from government was a vote of confidence in the journey we’re on, and there’s more to come with the launch of tap in tap out across bus and tram in the spring and then bringing rail into the Bee Network.”
