Bus fares rise amid cuts

BUS fares will rise on Sunday for children, pensioners and disabled passengers.

The changes, which form part of GMPTE cost savings of more than £40 million over the next three years, will see the concessionary bus fare — currently a flat fare of 80p — rise to half the normal adult fare.

Young people (aged five to 16) and students with a GMPTE pass to travel to and from college will be affected and new fares are also being introduced on Yellow School Buses and GMPTE’s dedicated school services.

These will be from £1 for a short, single journey to £1.40 for a single, long journey.

Disabled travellers who currently pay 80p before 9.30am on weekdays will instead pay half the adult fare, but will continue to travel free on buses, trams and local trains at all other times.

Passengers aged over 60 travelling before 9.30am on weekdays will pay full fare, but will continue to travel free at all other times.

The concessionary fares will no longer operate outside of Greater Manchester as was previously the case so anyone travelling outside the region may have to pay more.