greater manchester concessionary travel

Transport for Greater Manchester - Travel pass for older people

If you qualify for a state pension, you could be eligible for free travel across the country as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

Who can get one?

To get a travel pass for older people you must:

• live in Greater Manchester, (if you live outside Greater Manchester, apply for a pass in your own area but you cannot add tram and train travel within Greater Manchester to passes issued by other areas); and
• qualify for a state pension. It doesn't matter if you are taking your pension or still working.

The age you qualify for a state pension isn't the same for everyone. You may need to be up to 66 to qualify depending on when you were born. If you're not sure, check your state pension age .  The pass is free, and lasts for five years.

Within Greater Manchester:

Travel for free on all buses within Greater Manchester between 9.30am and midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays

You can also choose to pay £10 to add tram and train to your pass, for a year’s unlimited off-peak travel on Metrolink and trains within Greater Manchester. You can then travel on Metrolink trams and in trains after 9.30am on Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays .  If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.

Throughout England:

Travel for free on all local buses between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.  If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.

Who to contact

Where to go, get directions to m60 1hx using google maps, who is it for.

• For older people
• Becoming older

Availability

Get an application form from any TfGM Travelshop

Send details by text

This will send details of 'Transport for Greater Manchester - Travel pass for older people', to your mobile phone using our SMS service. You will not be charged for this message.

Last Updated

Last updated: 02/04/2024

Carers travel and transport Transport For Greater Manchester Concessionary Travel

Get directions (opens in Google Maps)

0161 244 1000

You may be able to get free travel on local buses anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays, if you:

- are of an eligible age over 60 (the age at which you become eligible is the same as the State Pension Age for women)

- are an eligible disabled person.

Full details about any of the above can be obtained from TfGM.

This information was supplied by Serco Global Services on 14 March 2024.

Report an issue with the information on this page

Concessionary Pass Travel in Greater Manchester

Closed 3 Mar 2023

Opened 9 Feb 2023

[email protected]

Since the Covid-19 pandemic fewer people are using public transport in Greater Manchester. However, the reduction has been greatest amongst older people: concessionary pass use in Greater Manchester usage is considerably lower than pre-pandemic levels. To understand why this is the case, and to help ensure that the Bee Network is accessible and attractive to all age groups, Transport for Greater Manchester, the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and the Greater Manchester Older People’s network are asking for your time completing a short questionnaire. If you need assistance to complete the questionnaire, please phone 0161 244 1000. Please click here for TfGM’s  privacy policy . Further information about how TfGM processes your personal information collected in this survey, including who we may share it with and how long we will hold it for, is provided in the  privacy notice  for this survey.

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Create your smart card account

Create an account and order a Bee Card online. Your card should arrive in 5-7 working days. With your account, you can buy tickets and travelcards to load onto your Bee Card for travel on trams and buses in Greater Manchester. You can link other smart cards to your account, including; igo, Our Pass, Cycle Hub, a TfGM concessionary travel pass, or a get me there card.

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Roads and transport Concessionary travel passes

Disabled people and those with learning difficulties.

Many disabled people or those with learning difficulties are entitled to a free travel pass or travel at reduced fares.  Eligibility and type of pass will depend on the impairment. Concessionary passes are issued by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).  Please note that Manchester City Council does not issue concessionary passes.

For details of eligibility and how to apply for a pass please contact Transport for Greater Manchester:

Transport for Greater Manchester Travel Concessions Customer Services PO Box 429 Manchester M60 1HX

Further information and how to apply can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website

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