Hundreds of thousands of older and disabled people are set to benefit from free round-the-clock bus travel during a month-trial this August.
From Friday 1 August, older and disabled people from Salford will be able to benefit from round-the-clock bus travel as part of a new pilot for the month.
The new scheme will look to support 400,000 people around Greater Manchester, and will help connect them to healthcare, leisure, and retail opportunities.
The trial will take place on buses from 1 to 31 August 2025 – and will not be available on trains or trams.
Currently those with a TfGM-issued concessionary travel pass have free bus travel between 9:30am and midnight during the week. The current travel passes also work all day on weekends and public holidays.
However, from Friday (1 August), the pre-9.30am travel restriction will be lifted on a trial basis for a month on all buses.
With the travel restrictions being lifted older and disabled people will be able to board the Bee Network’s night buses, all night, for free for the first time during August.
The plans were announced by Mayor Andy Burnham on Wednesday 9 July as a part of the launch of the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS).
These plans will be a part of Greater Manchester’s vision for the next decade to grow the local economy and ensure everyone can travel safely and live well.
Included in the GMS is a pledge to keep the cost of travel as low as possible, improving connections and making it easier for people to use the Bee Network to get around.
If you travel with a TfGM-issued concessionary travel pass, from 1 August you’ll be able to use it on #BeeNetwork buses before 9.30am as part of a month-long trial.
Find out more: https://t.co/dBVFoMyAhg pic.twitter.com/44hWx4mXT6
— Bee Network (@BeeNetwork) July 27, 2025
The trial is being held to look at the impact of lifting the 9.30am restriction on peak bus services and those shortly after 9.30am.
At the conclusion of the trial, the evidence gathered during it, including analysing passenger feedback, patronage, and pass usage, will be assessed before a decision is made on whether the move can be made permanent.
Erica Woods, co-chair, GM Older People’s Equality Panel said: “We’re really excited for no more ‘twirlies’ (Older people arriving ‘too early’ to use their bus pass) this August on the Bee Network.
“This is a great result for older residents, and we can’t wait to make the most of it.”
Erica continued: “It’s often older people with financial challenges that rely on buses and currently they can’t get to essential health appointments, meaning that treatment is delayed or they have to use taxis that they can ill-afford.
“And it’s not just older people that will benefit – we’re shoppers, we’re carers, we’re volunteers. This pilot will really help us to unleash our potential.”
The trial is available only on Been Network buses and will not be available on trains or trams.
For residents to qualify for the older people pass, customers need to be of state pension age and live in Greater Manchester – can find more information here.
And if a customer is disabled they could be eligible for a pass that gives them free and low cost-travel in Greater Manchester and the rest of England under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) – with more information being found here.
Salford residents will be able to find more information about the Concessionary pass trial here.
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