Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network says it expects to launch contactless pay as you go payment options across its buses and trams next spring, with a date for the introduction of capped contactless payments confirmed as 23 March 2025.
Currently already in place on Metrolink trams, passengers will be able to touch in on all Bee Network bus services from that date. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “In March 2021 I announced that Greater Manchester would bring all of its buses back under local control as part of the Bee Network – providing cheaper, easier and more convenient transport and simple, easy-to-understand fares and tickets. Just over a year ago the vision started to become a reality when the Bee Network launched, and we saw the first phase of buses joining the Bee Network – representing the biggest change to the bus network in almost 40 years. On 5 January next year that process will be complete. Every bus in the region will be working as a part of the Bee Network and accountable to passengers.
“We’ve already started to see the benefits franchising is delivering with bus services now cleaner, cheaper and more reliable than before with record numbers of passengers and there is more to come.
“From 23 March pay as you go will be launching across Bee Network buses, building on the system that has been in place on Metrolink since 2019. This is a massive step forward in terms of delivering a London-style transport network for the people of Greater Manchester, putting our region on par with not only the capital but also major cities across the world that offer seamless, integrated travel by public transport.
“Moving to this pay as you go system is going to make public transport more affordable and easier to pay for. It will take the worry out of choosing the right ticket for passengers and encourage many more people to get on board with the Bee Network.”
Fares for all-day travel across Metrolink and buses in Greater Manchester will cost a maximum of £9.50, or £7.80 after 0930hrs and at weekends.
