Following a trial in August, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced it will be launching a second pilot of free round-the-clock bus travel throughout November. The trial would see the 09.30 am rule lifted, meaning around 400,000 older and disabled people in Greater Manchester will be able to benefit from free bus travel at any time of day.
The second pilot forms part of the new Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS) pledge to keep the cost of travel as low as possible, improving connections and making it easier for people to use the Bee Network to get around. Currently, people with a TfGM-issued concessionary travel pass have free unlimited travel on Bee Network buses between 9.30am and midnight during the week and all day on weekends and public holidays.
During the August trial, more than 100,000 journeys were made by older and disabled people before 9.30am with up to 6,000 people a day making use of the pilot. Of the older people who took part, around 44% of the free journeys were made between 9am and 9.30am, and 68% between 8.30am and 9.30am.
When will the second free bus travel trial run?
From Saturday 1st November to Sunday 30th November, the 9.30am restriction will be lifted again to allow concessionary pass holders to travel at any time, better connecting them to healthcare, leisure and retail opportunities. As well as free early morning bus travel, during the trial, older and disabled people will be able to board the Bee Network’s night buses, all night, for free.
A feedback survey will be available from November 1 for people to give their views once the trial is live. At the end of the trial, the evidence gathered during it, including analysing passenger feedback, patronage, and pass usage, will be assessed before a decision is made on whether the move can be made permanent.
“We are now carrying out this second trial, at a busier time of year, to see whether we can safely remove the restriction permanently.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The last trial in August was a brilliant success, which saw more than 100,000 journeys made by our older and disabled people before 9.30am.
“We are now carrying out this second trial, at a busier time of year, to see whether we can safely remove the restriction permanently and help our older and disabled people to get to work, go shopping and get to medical appointments such as at the GP.
“We want the Bee Network to be the best public transport system possible and this means it needs to support all of our residents and communities, including our ‘Twirlies’, to make the journeys they need to make and use the bus more.”
“This pilot isn’t just about feasibility.”
Nakib Narat, Chair of GM Older People’s Equality Panel:” I think it’s a brilliant initiative being able to use the buses before 09.30am it’s fantastic for mental health and integrating older people.”
Lauren McKechnie, CEO of Age UK Bolton and Chair of Age UK Greater Manchester Collective said: “We’re really encouraged to see the Bee Network place older people’s voices at the heart of this next phase. This pilot isn’t just about feasibility — it’s about accessibility, equality, and ensuring that older people can stay active, connected, and purposeful members of our communities. The lived experience of older residents is vital in shaping fair, inclusive transport policy, and we’re proud to see that commitment in action across Greater Manchester.”
The trial only applies to free bus travel and not on trams and trains. You can find out more about the free concessionary pass bus travel trial here.