In three months time Greater Manchester’s much vaunted Bee Network will start operation. This sees more local control of public transport with the centrepiece being bus franchising and the plan for cheaper and more affordable transport. Overall the Bee Network will eventually include all public transport in the region with the gradual build up in the coming years.
The latest Bee Network announcements have included details of new fares – both bus exclusive and bus and tram combined tickets.
The bus and tram combined tickets will include the following:
- 1 day Bee AnyBus+Tram (Anytime) – £6.00-£9.50 adult (depending on zones travelled)
- 1 day Bee AnyBus+Tram (off-peak) – £5.40-£7.80 adult (depending on zones travelled)
- 7 day Bee AnyBus+Tram – £24.80-£41.00 adult
- 28 day Bee AnyBus+Tram – £91.40-£136.00 adult
Combined travel should be around 20% cheaper than buying tickets separately with these new fares, which will be available from 24th September.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, 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.”