Travelling on Bee Network buses and trams in Manchester is set to get even cheaper from March with the launch of a new annual ticket which will allow passengers to enjoy unlimited travel for the equivalent of between £2.75 and £4.10 a day.
This ticket builds on the annual ticket for Bee Network buses but will allow travel not only on the buses but also the extensive Metrolink network. There will be a saving of 15% when compared to buying 13 28 day tickets, with the exact price depending on the number of Metrolink zones chosen.
The new ticket will be available from 23rd March – this is the same day that a new integrated contactless payment system will be introduced which will allow passengers to tap in and tap out on Bee Network buses and trams, while also providing clear daily and weekly caps meaning no-one will pay more than the daily or weekly limit regardless of how many journeys they make.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “We’re making huge strides towards making public transport cheaper, simpler to understand and more convenient than ever before. We have delivered bus franchising on time and on budget, and with buses across the region now under our control we’re fast approaching our big moment in March when we bring in tap in, tap out payments and capped daily fares across bus and tram.
“Everyone in Greater Manchester has a stake in it – you have helped to fund it. As more people have got on board our buses we have been able to deliver a lower than planned precept [it had always been planned that a £12.20 precept on Band D properties would be introduced but this has been able to be reduced to £11], which we will use to continually fund further improvements to the Bee Network.
“We do not take the decision to increase the precept lightly, but we are building a low-cost, high-use system that is already proving to be a game-changer for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester, with lower fares, better buses and better, more reliable services.
“There are real savings to be had from using the Bee Network – that will enable people to quickly recover the cost of the precept increase – and I’d encourage as many people as possible to get on board with us.
“The annual bus and tram ticket will be perfect for frequent travellers who regularly board the Bee Network – cutting the cost by 15 per cent. People will be able to either pay up front or spread the payments through Greater Manchester Credit Unions.”
The cost of an annual season ticket on the bus and all four Metrolink zones will be £1.496 which is a 15.4% saving on purchasing 13 28 day tickets. The same saving will be made on any bus and Metrolink combination. This will equate to having two 28 days periods free in any annual period.
New daily caps have also been announced which off-peak range from £5.40 (bus and one Metrolink zone) to £7.80 (bus and all Metrolink zones). The anytime daily cap goes between £6 and £9.50 whilst the weekly cap ranges between £24.80 and £41.