Free bus travel for elderly and disabled individuals to be provided through Bee Network trial program.
Mayor Andy Burnham announced on July 9th a new pilot as part of the Greater Manchester Strategy (GMS), which aims to tackle inequality in the region. The pilot, commencing on August 1st, offers free round-the-clock bus travel for 400,000 older and disabled people in Greater Manchester.
The pilot will be exclusive to buses within the Bee Network, a network prioritizing people's needs and opportunities. The location of the trial is specifically in areas covered by the Bee Network, such as Oldham, which is part of Greater Manchester.
The initiative aims to enhance access to healthcare, leisure, and retail opportunities for those less able to travel independently. It will test the removal of the pre-9:30 travel restriction on all buses within the region, providing free travel for older and disabled people 24 hours a day.
Currently, members of the public with a TfGM-issued concessionary travel pass can travel for free between 9:30 PM and midnight during the week, and all day on weekends and public holidays. This pilot represents an extension of these free travel hours.
Data collected during the trial will be used to decide on making the scheme permanent. Passenger feedback will also be considered in the decision-making process. The pilot is expected to significantly improve the lives of thousands of older and disabled people in Oldham and across Greater Manchester, helping them attend medical appointments and participate in community life without barriers.
The Greater Manchester Strategy, launched on an unspecified date, includes a pledge to keep the cost of travel as low as possible. The local transport authority in Manchester is responsible for the pilot project, although the specific official's name is not provided in the available search results.
The Bee Network buses will be the ones used for the pilot in Greater Manchester. The specific bus routes participating in the pilot were not mentioned in the article. However, the initiative underscores the commitment to making public transportation more accessible and inclusive for all residents of Greater Manchester.
