Greater Manchester’s newly-elected Mayor, Bev Craig, has announced plans to extend the Our Pass scheme, giving 11 to 16-year-olds free bus travel on the Bee Network from next year. Announcing the extension on her first official day as Mayor (3 August), Bev Craig said the change will launch across the city region in January 2027.
Bev Craig also confirmed that previously agreed plans to give free travel to school on Bee Network buses to children in temporary accommodation will be implemented from this September. The extra support will be administered by councils and be in place for the new school year.
The Our Pass extension is expected to save families up to £500 per child every year
The Our Pass extension is expected to benefit nearly 200,000 young people across Greater Manchester, saving families up to £500 per child every year. Greater Manchester’s Our Pass was introduced in 2019 and already gives 16-18-year-olds free bus travel in order to make getting to education, training and opportunities easier. More than 50,000 young people currently use the scheme.
It will mean that, for the first time, all children between 11 and 18 years old in Greater Manchester will travel for free on the city region’s buses.
What is Our Pass and how to apply for one
Our Pass is a membership scheme for young people who live in Greater Manchester. The travel pass can be used for up to two years, usually starting from 1 September after your 16th birthday, until 31 August after your 18th birthday. This year, 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester are able to activate their Our Pass one month earlier (from 1 August).
Applications will open later this year, so families can apply for their pass in advance and benefit from day one. More information about the extension of Our Pass to 11 to 16-year-olds can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester website.
“Families across Greater Manchester are struggling with the cost of living and I’m using my first day as Mayor to do something practical to make life a bit easier.”
Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “During my campaign I promised that I would apply a simple test to every decision I take as Mayor – will it make life better for the people of Greater Manchester? That’s why on day one I’m announcing the extension of Our Pass to give free bus travel to 11 to 16-year-olds. This is exactly the kind of decision that passes our test.
“It will put more money in the pockets of thousands of hard-working families – up to around £500 a year for every child aged 11 to 16 – and gives those young people a ticket to all the brilliant opportunities our city region offers.
“Families across Greater Manchester are struggling with the cost of living and I’m using my first day as Mayor to do something practical to make life a bit easier. By launching in January, young people will be boarding the Bee Network for free as they head back to school.”
Further improvements to the Bee Network
The Mayor of Greater Manchester has also committed to growing the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s joined-up public transport system, including by introducing more buses and better routes. Today, she confirmed that the next improvements will come into effect as early as Sunday 30 August, including new routes and night services.
On Sunday 30 August:
A new 388 service will provide an hourly bus between Ashton and Hyde via Stalybridge.
The existing 615 will also be extended. Currently linking Wigan and Middlebrook Retail Park, it will be extended to Bolton – creating a much-called-for half-hourly service between the retail park and the town centre.
On Tuesday 1 September:
A new 377 service will connect Woodford Garden Village residential development to Stockport town centre.
On Thursday 3 September:
New night services start, meaning every part of Greater Manchester will have at least one night bus serving communities on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The new round-the-clock services will be:
- 50 (Manchester – Salford)
- 216 (Tameside – Manchester)
- 263 (Trafford – Manchester)
- 192 (Stockport – Manchester)
- 83 (Oldham – Manchester)
On Sunday 6 September:
A new 612 will provide a half-hourly (hourly on Sundays) service between Wigan and St Helens via Abrham, Golborne and Newton-le-Willows. This cross-boundary service aligns with the rollout of locally-controlled buses in the neighbouring Liverpool City Region.
There’s also a range of improvements to timetables on selected key routes across the city region – including increases in frequency so buses come more often, buses running earlier and later, and improvements to Sunday services. TfGM says updated timetables for all the changes will be published soon.
