Kids can claim free unlimited bus travel across Greater Manchester through summer

Children and young people across Greater Manchester can benefit from free unlimited bus travel on the Bee Network this summer.

As part of the government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign, children aged 5-15 can travel for free in England, including on Bee Network bus services, throughout August.

In addition, 16-year-olds in Greater Manchester will be able to activate their Our Pass one month earlier (from Sat 1 Aug instead of Tue 1 Sep), giving them an extra month of free bus and cheaper tram travel.

Anyone aged between 16 and 18 on Mon 31 Aug 2026 and a resident of Greater Manchester is eligible to apply for a digital Our Pass via the Bee Network app, with a one-off £10 admin fee. Once approved, Our Pass can be activated from Sat 1 Aug and used immediately.

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “We’re pleased to be taking part in the Greater British Summer Savings scheme which will mean free bus travel on the Bee Network for everyone aged five to 15 in August. This will help make days out more affordable for families this summer.

“To complement this national scheme, we are allowing Our Pass to be activated one month early which means no young person in Greater Manchester will miss out. The Bee Network is all about making it easier and more affordable to get around Greater Manchester and this national scheme will help us do just that.”

The government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which is aimed at making days out more affordable for families this summer, was announced earlier this year.

No registration or sign-up is required to benefit from the Summer Savings scheme on the Bee Network; anyone aged between five and 15 can just ask the driver for a free ticket as they board the bus.

For more information, visit the Our Pass website. Anyone who does not have access to a smartphone or the internet, or those who need additional help, can call 0161 244 1000 or visit their nearest Bee Network travel and information office for a paper application form.