New annual bus pass could save Greater Manchester commuters up to £240 a year

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Bee Network buses arrive at Oldham bus station / Credit: TfGM

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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“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