Pledge to introduce free bus travel for 16 to 18 year olds

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham

Greater Manchester's Mayor, Andy Burnham, has pledged to improve the city-region’s bus network, including introducing free bus travel for 16 to 18-year olds.
 
More than three quarters of public transport journeys in Greater Manchester are made by bus. But while demand for transport is going up, overall bus use is declining. In Greater Manchester, there are now more than 32 million fewer journeys by bus than 10 years ago.

Mr Burnham  said: “Bus reform is essential for the future success of Greater Manchester as the current system simply isn’t working. The current bus system is driven by the needs of operators rather than what the travelling public needs.

“This must change and these plans are a vital step in our overall vision for a bus network that works for everyone".

“The average cost of this for Greater Manchester households will be £7 over the course of a year, or just 58p per month.”

The plans form part of the Mayor’s budget proposals. He is responsible for setting the budget for the fire service and other mayoral functions, which local people contribute to through a part of their council tax bills called the mayoral “precept”.

Leaders will consider the proposed budget at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday.

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