Plans to give 11 to 16 year olds free bus travel across Greater Manchester are set to be approved today (November 13). About 200,000 young people will be able to apply for the bus pass, named Our Pass 11-16, when applications open on December 8.
The scheme, which is expected to cost Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) up to £20m, is set to be given the green light at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Council bosses say that the plans will save families £500 a year, per child. The bus passes will then go live on Monday, January 4, 2027.
Policy Promise Delivered
It was one of the first major policy announcements from Bev Craig when she was elected mayor of Greater Manchester. She said: “During my election campaign, I said I’d do whatever I could to make life easier for people across Greater Manchester who are feeling the pinch in their pockets. I’m now delivering on that and applications for the new Our Pass 11-16 are opening next month.
“Free, unlimited bus travel will make a big difference for so many families - putting up to £500 per child back in their pockets every year.
“And it’s a free ticket for every young person right across Greater Manchester, to get around and make the most of the opportunities we’re building here in Greater Manchester. It’s all part of my plan to make Greater Manchester the best place to grow up and get on.”
Eligibility and Application Details
Further information has been released about how young people can get hold of the passes, and on who is eligible. TfGM said: "Children are eligible for a pass from the September they start secondary school. They must be a resident of Greater Manchester to qualify.
"Secondary school aged children who live in Greater Manchester and already have an ‘igo’ card don’t have to do anything as they can use this to travel for free from January.
"They will be contacted via email by Transport for Greater Manchester and automatically issued a new Our Pass 11-16 early in the new year.
"If a young person doesn’t have an igo card, they must apply for an Our Pass 11-16 to get free travel. There will be a £10 administration fee."
How to Apply
From December 8, this can be done online, on the Bee Network app (for those in Year 9 and above applying for a digital pass), or on a paper form available at Bee Network travelshops.
"Those in Years 7 and 8 will be issued a physical Our Pass 11-16 card. Those in Years 9 to 11 will have the choice between a physical card or a digital pass.
"All passholders will need to re-apply before they start Year 9, to have the option to get a digital pass and confirm their continued eligibility.
"Passholders can make the most of everything Greater Manchester has to offer. They will enjoy unlimited travel on all buses, including school services, across Greater Manchester, by presenting their Our Pass 11-16 card at the ticket machine as they board the bus."
Dozens of extra enforcement and safety officers are being drafted in as part of the plans.
