Bus passengers to get cheaper travel through Credit Union loan in Greater Manchester

Mayor for Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has announced plans to introduce a new annual bus pass that will lower the cost of travel on the city region’s Bee Network.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority will offer the deal in partnership with member-owned non-profit cooperative financial institution Credit Union. The pass will cost £800, with customers able to spread payment, at no extra cost, throughout the year with a Credit Union loan.

The pass will save customers almost £5 a week, almost £20 a month and up to £240 a year, with the lower fares also being introduced for seven and 28 day Bee Network bus tickets.

The annual, weekly and 28-day tickets will provide unlimited travel on Bee Network bus services across Greater Manchester and are intended to make public transport more affordable so more people can access jobs, training and opportunities.

Alongside the new passes, a new ‘hopper fare’ will replace single tickets on Bee Network services, allowing passengers to ‘hop on’ as many Bee Network buses as they like within one hour.

The new deal is due to become available early in the new year, as the third and final tranche of the Bee Network begins, with buses across the city region coming under public control.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “With so many people across Greater Manchester struggling with the cost of living, I am really pleased we are able to drive down the cost of using Bee Network buses by reducing the price of weekly, 28-day and annual travel.

“Through this innovative initiative we are making our best value products available to all, and I hope it helps give people worried about bills certainty about the cost of travel and gives them one less thing to worry about.

“This is only possible because we are leading the way in bringing buses under local control after almost 40 years, and now we are leading the way in making our networks more accessible, inclusive and affordable.”

Ciara Davies, Executive Lead for the Greater Manchester Consortium of Credit Unions, added: “The Greater Manchester Consortium of Credit Unions is delighted to be involved in this innovative new initiative with Transport for Greater Manchester.

“Credit Unions are not-for-profit financial co-operatives that have been providing access to affordable financial services in communities and workplaces in GM for over 30 years. This new product will spread the cost of travel and save people money which is just one of the ways in which credit unions can help make your money go further.”