Free bus travel for 11 to 16-year-olds confirmed

Children aged 11-18 in Greater Manchester will soon be eligible for free bus travel, the city region's new mayor has announced.

Labour's Bev Craig, who was elected on Friday following Andy Burnham's departure from the role, has said the change will be rolled out from January.

The current Our Pass scheme already gives 16-18-year-olds free travel on the Bee Network and the extension down to 11 will save families an estimated £500 a year per child, according to Craig.

"Families across Greater Manchester are struggling with the cost of living and I'm using my first day as mayor to do something practical to make life a bit easier," she said.

More than 50,000 16 to 18-year-olds currently use the scheme and Craig said the move was expected to extend this to 200,000 young people, helping to make getting to schools, training and other opportunities easier.

Craig said applications would open later this year and families would be able to apply for their pass in advance.

It comes as the mayor confirmed other changes to Bee Network buses from 30 August, including new routes in Stockport and Wigan and Ashton, and night services across the city region.

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