Children aged 11 to 18 in Greater Manchester, including Altrincham and Trafford, will soon benefit from free bus travel, as announced by new mayor Bev Craig. The initiative, set to launch in January, aims to ease the financial burden on families facing cost-of-living challenges.
Currently, the Our Pass scheme provides free travel for 16 to 18-year-olds, and this extension is expected to increase usage from over 50,000 to around 200,000 young people, aiding their commutes to schools and training.
Applications for the child passes will open later this year, allowing families to prepare ahead of the launch. Craig emphasized that the initiative is fully funded through existing budgets, ensuring no additional taxpayer money is required. She stated her commitment to delivering on her promises with financially responsible planning aimed at strengthening the Bee Network’s reach.
