Concessionary travel times extended in Manchester

Older and disabled people eligible for free ITSO-based concessionary travel in Greater Manchester will soon benefit from round-the-clock free travel on the Bee Network, following changes to Government regulations designed to improve access to transport for millions of eligible passengers.

From Sunday, 1 March 2026, concessionary passholders will no longer have to wait until 9.30am to get on board a Bee Network bus for free as the time restriction is permanently lifted.

It follows two successful trials in late 2025 during which 400,000 older and disabled people were able to use their free bus pass at any time of the day.

Making the change permanent is just the latest example of how, under the Bee Network, local control of our bus services is improving the lives of people in Greater Manchester.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, stated "This is another significant change we’re bringing in under the Bee Network that will make a real difference to people across Greater Manchester.

It will be a huge lift for disabled people struggling with the cost of travelling to work and it will give older people the freedom to travel whenever they want.

Taking control of our public transport network means we can make Greater Manchester an even better place to live and work, and this change does exactly that.”

During the August pilot, more than 100,000 journeys were made by older and disabled people before 9.30am with up to 6,000 people a day taking advantage of the change.

In November, the numbers were even higher with nearly 120,000 passholders travelling before 9.30am during the pilot, most of whom got on board at least half an hour earlier.

According to data collected during the trials, lifting time restrictions spread demand more evenly throughout the morning, reducing the risk of overcrowding on the first post-curfew services.

ITSO Passholders interviewed at bus stops, interchanges and whilst travelling throughout the trial periods said that they welcomed the freedom to travel at a time that suits them, reducing stress and loneliness and increasing opportunities for work and volunteering.