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
News
Gary Lineker set to leave BBC this week following more controversy
Danny Jones
Former footballer and veteran presenter Gary Lineker is set to leave the BBC earlier than expected following further political controversies and social media backlash.
Lineker has been butting heads with the presenter for a couple of years now, being suspended by the national corporation back in March 2023 for his comments about language used by the Conservative government, and has continued to take issue with certain aspects of their news coverage.
He has since gone on to share a further video expressing his regret over what he called an “honest mistake”, as well as confirming that he will be making a premature exit from the BBC.
As you can see in the clip above, he says: “I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and upset caused,” insisting that he didn’t see the emoji in question
Lineker is now expected to leave following his final Match of the Day programme this weekend after having already confirmed he would be leaving the role after 26 years at the end of the season.
The ex-English footballer was set to present the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, but given the latest furore, he will be stepping away ahead of schedule.
Having gradually wound down his work with networks like TNT Sports (previously BT Sport) and the BBC in recent years, he has been slowly shifting his focus to his own Goalhanger Podcasts company, which includes several popular audio formats under The Rest Is… brand, including his own flagship The Rest Is Football show.
He goes on to add that he’s “stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all my life.” Since the most recent Israel-Palestine conflicts began, he’s been particularly outspoken on the events. One recent interview with the BBC itself sparked plenty of discussion online.
Gary Lineker, "What's going on there (Gaza), the mass murder of thousands of children is something we should have an opinion on"
Amol Rajan, "The BBC needs to be impartial about it"
Lineker reiterated that he would never “knowingly share anything antisemitic” and removed the problematic post as soon as he was made aware.
Nevertheless, the BBC and director general Tim Davie have been facing pressure to address the situation ever since it happened, with many calling for the household name to be sacked.
It seems the ex-Everton, Leicester, Spurs and Barcelona player has made the decision for them.
As he goes on to conclude, despite expressing gratitude regarding his relationship with the BBC, he feels the “time is right […’ to go our separate ways.”
“Wildfires can spread quickly and cause devastation to the land and wildlife on it,” explained GMFRS’s wildfire lead and national tactical adviser for wildfires, Ady Taylor, “so it’s vitally important that people call 999 as soon as they think they see a fire.”
He continued: “We want people to enjoy the countryside and moorland we have in Greater Manchester, but… [we] remind people to always act responsibly while out enjoying these environments.
“This means no BBQs, fires or fireworks – as they can easily result in wildfires.”
On Wednesday 14 May 2025, a teenage boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and interviewed by police in relation to the incident, and then the following day on Thursday 15 May 2025, another two boys were also arrested – with each of the three having now been released on bail pending further enquiries while investigations are ongoing.
Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a large moorland fire in Bury / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Detective Inspector Andy Wright, from GMP’s Bury district, added: “The moorland fire is being investigated as arson following information from a witness and enquiries we have made.
“We have managed to apprehend three teenagers in relation to this incident, all of them have been bailed following interviews with our officers.”
GMP and GMFRS is reminding Greater Manchester residents that if they see a fire in the countryside, they need to report it immediately, leave the area as soon as possible, and dial 999, and if you witness illegal activity in relation to the fire, then you can report it to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
“Fires can have such a devastating effect, and we are lucky that this has not caused a significant amount of damage, or cost lives,” Detective Inspector Andy Wright concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
9th September 2024 
