Greater Manchester’s newly-elected Mayor has set out plans to give 11 to 16-year-olds free bus travel on the Bee Network from next year.

On her first official day as Mayor, Bev Craig has announced that the change will launch across the city region in January 2027. Applications will open later this year, so families can apply for their pass in advance and benefit from day one.

The move is expected to benefit nearly 200,000 young people across Greater Manchester, saving families up to £500 per child every year.

It builds on and extends Greater Manchester’s successful Our Pass, introduced in 2019, which already gives 16-18-year-olds free bus travel to make getting to education, training and opportunities easier. More than 50,000 young people currently use the scheme.

It will mean that, for the first time, all children between 11 and 18 years old in Greater Manchester will travel for free on the city region’s buses.

Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“During my campaign I promised that I would apply a simple test to every decision I take as Mayor – will it make life better for the people of Greater Manchester? That’s why on day one I’m announcing the extension of Our Pass to give free bus travel to 11 to 16-year-olds. This is exactly the kind of decision that passes our test.

“It will put more money in the pockets of thousands of hard-working families – up to around £500 a year for every child aged 11 to 16 – and gives those young people a ticket to all the brilliant opportunities our city region offers.

“Families across Greater Manchester are struggling with the cost of living and I’m using my first day as Mayor to do something practical to make life a bit easier. By launching in January, young people will be boarding the Bee Network for free as they head back to school.”

(Picture: TfGM)