Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced the permanent lifting of its 9:30 restrictions for the use of concessionary bus passes by older and disabled people.
From March 2026, the pilot that has been trialled in both August and November will be officially implemented, subject to the finalisation of budgets in February.
The change will allow older and disabled people to use their concessionary passes at all hours of the day, rather than waiting until 9:30 to board public transport.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has also confirmed that all bus and tram fares – including the 2 GBP fare cap for an adult single journey – will be frozen for the entirety of 2026.
All other bus fares will remain at the same price for 2026, with Metrolink fares also frozen for the sixth consecutive year.
The area was the first to introduce a 2 GBP single bus fare cap in September 2022, with the Bee Network also having driven down the cost of travel with reductions in both seven and 28-day bus tickets.
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 16-18-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.
