Free bus passes for 200,000 young people aged 11 to 16 across Greater Manchester will be available from January 4, with applications opening on December 8. Mayor Bev Craig has described the scheme, called Our Pass 11-16, as a 'game changer'.
The pass will provide unlimited free bus travel, including on school services, for children in the region. It extends the existing Our Pass offer, which has been available to 16 to 18-year-olds since 2019, to children when they start secondary school.
Scheme Signed Off at Bolton Town Hall
The initiative was approved at the latest Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting at Bolton Town Hall, where Ms Craig was joined by school children for photographs by a yellow Bee Network bus. During the meeting, she joked about being referred to as 'the bus lady' during school visits because of how much she talks about buses.
The project will cost a maximum of £20m if every eligible child takes up the opportunity, and will be paid for from additional funding from January 2027. Ms Craig described it as an 'anti-poverty tool', saying it would put '£500 in the pockets of families'.
Mayor's Vision for Young People
Ms Craig said: "I'm doing this for two reasons. The first is that it will be a big boost during a cost of living crisis as it gives around £500 per child to families of 200,000 children across Greater Manchester."
She added: "But it also says to young people here in Greater Manchester that you can go wherever you want to go and your income, how much your parents have in their pockets, shouldn't hold you back. It is a way to open up equal opportunities."
Ms Craig said the scheme had been a priority for her from day one, noting that the system had been built from scratch. She said: "The hard work pays off because from January, for everyone between 11 and 16, it will be a game changer."
Students Welcome the Pass
Year 7 children from Sharples High School in Astley Bridge, Bolton, joined Ms Craig for the photo opportunity. Student Miles said: "I think it will really help young people get around as I know some people struggle to travel to different clubs and get to places they need to be. They could spend that money on something else."
George added: "Some of my mates just don't have the money and ask to lend £1 to pay." Aamira said: "I am happy because normally politicians say we should lower the cost of bills and petrol – that's all adult stuff. I am happy someone has looked out for the children. They can't just leave the children out."
Application Details and Eligibility
Bee Network buses will also see increased security and additional services on oversubscribed routes. Asked if investment would lack in other areas of the bus network, Ms Craig said the scheme does not come at a cost to anyone else, and that the next wave of bus expansion would be set out in February.
Applications for Our Pass 11-16 open on December 8, online, on the Bee Network app for those in year 9 and above applying for a digital pass, or via paper form available at Bee Network travelshops. The pass launches on January 4.
Children are eligible from the September they start secondary school and must live in Greater Manchester. A £10 administration fee applies. Kids in years 7 and 8 will get a physical pass and need to apply before year 9. Those in years 9 to 11 will have a choice of a physical pass and a digital pass. Children with an Igo card do not have to do anything – they can use that pass to travel for free from January and will automatically be issued a new Our Pass 11-16.
