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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BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
Daisy Jackson
The BBC has issued a statement after alarming people across the UK with a weather forecast of hurricane force winds and temperatures of up to 400°C.
Mancs woke up this morning stunned to see predicted wind speeds of up to 14,000mph.
The alarming weather report hit the BBC Weather app today while Hurricane Milton batters Florida across the pond.
One person shared on X: “I guess we need to batten down the hatches with 26,898 mph winds today.”
Another asked: “Why isn’t this forecast making the news? 14,712mph wind sounds dangerous to me!! I’m going back to bed.”
But now the BBC has rushed to reassure people not to be ‘alarmed’ at the prospect of the entire island blowing away.
BBC presenter and meteorologist Simon King shared: “Oops, don’t be alarmed by some of our @bbcweather app data this morning.
— Barefoot Spooky Bartender 👣💀🍹 (@barefoottiki) October 10, 2024
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C.
“It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap.”
BBC Weather shared: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us.
“In the meantime here are Thursday’s weather headlines: -Colder, clearer air moving in -Rain and drizzle in south -Blustery showers near east coast”
And national treasure Carol Kirkwood said live on air: “We are having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast, in fact, hurricane strength and that is not the case at all.
“Please don’t be alarmed. We are aware of it and on it.”
At the time of writing, the BBC Weather forecast service is still predicting hurricane force winds for the UK. Eek.
BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
New 44-storey skyscraper proposed that could change one of Manchester’s most famous views
Emily Sergeant
Plans for a massive new 44-storey residential skyscraper in the heart of the city centre have been revealed.
But does this mean it could change one Manchester‘s most famous views?
Located on what has been referred to as a “prominent site” adjacent to Deansgate train station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop at Whitworth Street West, these dramatic proposals would see the development of 364 apartments set over 44 storeys – with more 7,750 sq ft of active space on the ground, first, and second floor levels.
Developers Glenbrook say the building has been designed to “respond to the city’s heritage”, most-notably through its three-storey arched terracotta colonnade at street level.
Well-lit new green spaces, the enhancing of existing pedestrian routes, and seamless integration with the surrounding communities, all form part of the landscaping proposals for the bold new project.
“As a Manchester-based developer, we are excited about the prospect of embarking on a landmark development in the heart of our city, admitted Daniel Roberts, who is the Development Director at Glenbrook, as the proposals were unveiled this week.
“Whitworth Street West is undergoing a period of revitalisation, and Glenbrook are incredibly proud to be playing such an integral part in its future.”
A CGI of a proposed skyscraper on Whitworth Street West in Manchester / Credit: Glenbrook
A public consultation on the plans has now been launched, and will be live up until 28 October, as well as a dedicated in-person event, where representatives from Glenbrook and the design team will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback, scheduled to take place at HOME MCR on First Street from 3:30-7:30pm on 15 October.
Residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders will have the opportunity to view the plans in detail, and provide their thoughts on the proposals.
The view of what Whitworth Street West currently looks like in October 2024 / Credit: The Manc Group
According to developers, the feedback gathered during the consultation will play a key role in shaping the final planning application – which will be submitted to the Manchester City Council in the coming months, and ultimately ensure the development meets the needs of the community.
Emily Sergeant -
9th September 2024 
