Plans outlined for joined-up bus and tram ticketing

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham today announced a range of new tickets that will make public transport journeys using both bus and tram travel cheaper and easier.

The new Bee AnyBus + Tram tickets will be delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with support from Greater Manchester TravelCards Ltd (GMTL) and launch on 24th September across the city-region.

Bought through the new Bee Network app and other retail channels, unlimited journeys on any bus service and any chosen Metrolink zone will start from £5.40. Unlimited travel on all buses and the entire tram network will cost £7.80 if travelling off-peak, or £9.50 at peak times, making combined travel around 20% cheaper compared to using separate tickets for each mode of transport.

The move follows the introduction of daily capped bus fares last September, which will remain in place until at least September 2024. The fares – capped at £2 for single journeys (£1 for children) and £5 for an AnyBus all day travelcard (£2.50 for children) – have contributed to an estimated 12% increase in bus trips.

Switching to a simplified, integrated and cheaper fare structure is a key part of the Bee Network – Greater Manchester’s plan for a ‘London-style’, high volume, low fare, transport system, which will transform the way people travel across the city region.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:

“We know that lower fares make a real difference to people – particularly in today’s challenging times – so I am delighted to be able to announce that not only are we extending the capped bus fares for at least another year, we are cutting the cost of travel even more with our new Bee AnyBus + tram tickets, making multi-modal journeys 20% cheaper from September than they are today.

“We are working to deliver a network for our millions of residents and visitors that is every bit as good as the one Londoners have – one that has frequent, reliable services and low fares – and it starts by bringing buses back under local control in three months’ time.

“With the potential to travel across the whole of Greater Manchester by bus for just £5 – or as little as £7.80 with the entire tram network included too, the lower fares represent great value for money, particularly compared to the cost of travelling by car.

“Cutting the cost of public transport benefits everyone and I want it to be a lasting and defining part of the Bee Network. That can only happen if more people use it, so my plea today is for everyone to get on board with us and help keep fares low. You’ll be better off with the Bee Network.

“I would also like to put on record my thanks to Rail Minister Huw Merriman for his commitment to working with us to pilot a new way to pay on rail that will ultimately enable us to integrate certain key rail services in Greater Manchester into the Bee Network.”

Greater Manchester has also announced plans for the first pilot of rail connections in the city-region to be brought under greater local control. First announced as part of the city-region’s trailblazer devolution deal, TfGM has been working closely with Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) and the Department for Transport (DfT) and will launch a pilot of touch-in touch-out ticketing on services between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge, and Manchester Piccadilly and Glossop as part of plans to introduce full multi-modal ticketing by 2030 across trains, trams, buses and cycle-hire scheme.

Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Vernon Everitt, said:

“We know that customers and businesses want easy and simple access to the whole transport system and the creation of the integrated Bee Network, bringing together buses, trams, trains and cycle hire, will transform transport in the region. September is the start of implementing this very exciting journey.

“We are also delighted to confirm today which routes have been chosen to pilot the very first contactless payment system – that will automatically calculate a passenger’s fare for them – on services outside London. This is all being taken forward in partnership with the DfT, Greater British Railways transition team and local transport operators as part of the recent Trailblazer deal agreed between the GMCA and Government. 

“This all signifies further significant progress towards delivering the transport network that our residents, businesses and visitors deserve for a rapidly growing and thriving city-region.”

Speaking about the wide-ranging benefits the Bee Network will have for businesses in Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Business Board member and co-founder of The Pipeline, Lorna Fitzsimons, said:

“Both living in a village outside Rochdale and being an employer, I know how key the bus service is, and it being joined up to the tram network.

“It is key to people being able to access jobs and business being able to access all available labour in this very tight labour market. If we want to optimise the travel to work radius it is essential. This is a brilliant development and will make our system seamless and friction free.”

Photo: (L-R) Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester; Cllr Shah Wazir, Portfolio Holder for Highways and Facilities for Rochdale Council; Cllr Lucy Smith, Deputy Leader of Bury Council; Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor; Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council; Cllr Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Council; Lorna Fitzsimons, Greater Manchester Business Board member and co-founder of The Pipeline