Free bus travel for 11 to 16 year olds in Greater Manchester could cost between £15m and £20m a year, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has said.
Policy announced in Bolton
The landmark policy was announced in Bolton on Bev Craig's first day in office as the region’s mayor on Monday (August 3), as a way to put money back in the pockets of struggling families.
It is expected to save families £500 a year per child, and could help up to 200,000 young people when it is rolled out in January 2027.
Families welcome the move
Several families in Bolton on Monday said that bus fares have become a ‘barrier’ for getting around Greater Manchester with kids, and that they have had to 'think twice' before taking their children out because of the cost.
“I want every young person growing up in this city-region to feel they can go anywhere they want to in life, both literally on the bus, and in the future,” Bev Craig said when announcing the policy.
Cost and funding
TfGM has said the cost of the pledge could be up to £20m a year, and that this will depend on the take-up from young people, and whether extra buses, drivers and depot space is needed to manage demand for services.
Funding will come from Greater Manchester’s integrated settlement from the government. The region is also expecting to get extra money from the recently announced £2 national fare cap, which is being brought in from January 2027.
Building on Our Pass
Free bus travel for 11 to 16 year olds in Greater Manchester will build on the Our Pass scheme, which was introduced in 2019 and offers free bus travel for 16 to 18 year olds.
Bev Craig added on Monday: “The number one thing people talked to me about during this election campaign is that they just felt family finances were tough.
“Free bus passes for 11 to 16 year olds helps families, puts £500 in their pockets, and sends a big message to young people that they can go wherever they want to and not be reliant on the bank of mum and dad.
“I’m hoping it shows that we can make a practical difference to the pockets of people across Greater Manchester.”
Parents react
Parents in Bolton welcomed the free travel announcement when it was made.
Sarah Hellings, 34, said: “I think it’s a really good idea, I’ve got older children as well, it just gives them a bit of freedom to get out and about, more change to go to different places instead of being stuck by the charges, because it can get expensive, especially if you’re going out every day.
“It will put money back in families’ pockets, you can have more budget to actually go to different places as well.”
Sotonye Ayodele, 36, has a son aged 11 and a daughter aged 13.
She said: “In the past where I had to pay for their bus ticket I had to think twice before coming out, but now I think there’s no limits to where we can go or travel, I really appreciate it.”
