Older and disabled people in Greater Manchester will benefit from free round-the-clock travel on Bee Network buses, with the permanent lifting of the 9:30am restrictions on concessionary passes from March 2026.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and council leaders from across the city-region, including here in Stockport, have been working with older and disabled groups locally to bring about the major change which will give “real freedom” to passengers.
It follows 2o successful pilots in August and November, during which around 400,000 older and disabled people in Greater Manchester were able to use their concessionary passes 24/7, rather than having to wait until 9:30am to get on board.
Subject to finalisation of budgets in February and consultation on changes to the concessionary scheme, the change would be implemented from 1 March 2026.
In a further move to make the Bee Network more inclusive and accessible, the Mayor and council leaders have also confirmed that all bus and tram fares – including the £2 fare cap for an adult single journey - will be frozen for the whole of 2026.
Since all buses came under local control in January, more than 34 million single/hopper bus journeys have been made. Subject to budget approval in the new year, it’s planned for the £2 fare set to remain for a fourth year. All other bus fares will remain the same price for the whole of 2026, with Metrolink fares also frozen for a sixth consecutive year.
Greater Manchester was the first area to introduce a £2 single bus fare in September 2022, and the Bee Network has continued to drive down the cost of travel, with reductions in seven and 28-day bus tickets. An annual bus ticket – which people can spread the cost of through Greater Manchester’s credit unions – also enables people to save even more.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: "I’m really pleased to confirm our intention to make this major change to give older and disabled people unlimited free bus travel on the Bee Network. Removing the restriction is the right thing to do and, we’ve heard loud and clear from our residents the positive impact it will have on their lives.
“It complements the extensive support we have in place for young people too, with over 50,000 16- to 18-year-olds getting free travel through Our Pass, care leavers now benefitting up to the age of 25, and 18-21-year-olds getting half price travel.
“We also know that many people are struggling with the cost of living, so I am pleased to confirm that we are freezing Bee Network fares for the whole of next year. Greater Manchester’s council leaders and I are committed to making sure that travel remains affordable and people can still get where they need to across the city region, with a bit more money in their pocket and one less thing to worry about.
“Nowhere in the country is transforming public transport like we are in Greater Manchester. Whether that’s new and improved services, better buses or low fares, we are delivering a network that works for our communities and our people – young and old.”
Cllr Mark Roberts, leader of Stockport Council, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the bus pass for older and disabled people will now be free to use at any time of day or night. This change will make a real difference to Stockport residents - especially those who need to travel early for work, medical appointments, or to support loved ones.
“It means no one will be forced to pay out of pocket simply because of when they need to travel, and it will help reduce congestion and support our efforts to make public transport the first choice for everyone. This is a huge step forward in helping our older and disabled residents live fuller, more independent lives."
Older and disabled passholders interviewed at bus stops, interchanges and whilst travelling throughout the trials said that they welcomed the new freedom to travel at a time that suits them, reducing stress and loneliness and increasing opportunities for work and volunteering.
Throughout November the passes were most used on the following services: 192, 409, 471, 330, 84 and 201. The 192 and the 330 both serve Stockport. The trials also saw demand for services more evenly spread, lessening the normal 9:30am surge of passholders that often result in crowded conditions on the first post-curfew services.
Local dementia awareness campaigner Dr Joy Watson said:"This transport change will benefit not only myself, but many other people. The scheme has been a while coming, but it has been worth the wait.
“I will now be able to attend my early morning appointments and meet my caregiver at a time that is helpful to us both. Living with dementia has challenges, but this transport improvement will make a huge difference to my wellbeing. I can't wait for the change, bring it on!”
Nakib Narat, from the Greater Manchester Older People's Equality Panel, said: "On behalf of the Panel, I want to thank Andy Burnham for this decisive step towards a truly Age-Friendly Greater Manchester.
“This change gives us real freedom - to make early medical appointments, stay active in our communities, and help with childcare without worrying about the fare as the cost of living rises. It is a life-changing move for public health, fairness, and tackling social isolation."
It’s all part of the Greater Manchester Strategy, launched in July this year, and the collective vision to create a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. To deliver it, Greater Manchester has pledged to keep the cost of travel on the Bee Network as low as possible, reinvesting fares to continually improve the network.
The Mayor recently set out a plan to deliver a new decade of good growth – through a UK-first Integrated Pipeline of high-impact housing, employment, and regeneration projects and a £1 billion GM Good Growth Fund. Continued improvements to make the Bee Network more affordable and accessible will help to ensure this growth is felt in every part of our city region, guaranteeing that everyone has the foundations of a good life so they can thrive.