Greater Manchester commuters could save themselves up to £240 a year thanks to the unveiling of a new annual bus pass.
With only four months to go now until all buses in Greater Manchester come under local control, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has now confirmed plans for a new annual bus pass that will significantly cut the cost of travel across the region.
Available from January – subject to agreement by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) – and costing £800, the new buss pass means customers will be able to spread payment throughout the year, at no extra cost, with a what’s called a Credit Union loan.
It’ll save passengers almost £5 a week, almost £20 a month, and up to £240 a year compared – with the lower fares also being introduced for seven and 28-day Bee Network bus tickets.
Find out more from today's announcement by @MayorofGM on the new annual #BeeNetwork bus pass that will cut the cost of travel in Greater Manchester.
The annual, weekly, and 28-day tickets will provide unlimited travel on Bee Network bus services across the whole of Greater Manchester, TfGM has confirmed and are intended to make public transport “more affordable” so that more people can access jobs, training, and opportunities.
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Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says it’s working with Greater Manchester Credit Unions to enable to people to apply for the new annual pass from 5 December, so that their bus ticket is available to use from 5 January 2025.
Arrangements are also being considered to offer customers the chance to spread the cost of existing annual Metrolink products, or an annual bus and tram pass, from March 2025.
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Andy Burnham has announced a new annual bus pass that could save Greater Manchester commuters up to £240 a year / Credit: TfGM
On top of this, a new ‘hopper fare’ will also replace single tickets on Bee Network services to provide passengers with more flexibility by allowing them to ‘hop on’ as many Bee Network buses as they like within one hour.
“With so many people across Greater Manchester struggling with the cost of living, I am really pleased we are able to drive down the cost of using Bee Network buses by reducing the price of weekly, 28-day, and annual travel,” Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said following the announcement of the new bus passes.
“Through this innovative initiative, we are making our best value products available to all, and I hope it helps give people worried about bills certainty about the cost of travel and gives them one less thing to worry about.
“This is only possible because we are leading the way in bringing buses under local control after almost 40 years, and now we are leading the way in making our networks more accessible, inclusive, and affordable.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
How can you go wrong with these incredible options at Manchester Christmas Markets?You can recreate your very own gigantic cheese pull and your local host can snap a piccie.Scrumptious selection of food available as you venture through Manchester Christmas Markets in style.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
9th September 2024 
