GREATER Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has laid out plans for the future of transport and growth in the region.
It includes a major new expansion to the Bee Network by bringing railway lines under local control, moving towards a fully integrated London-style transport system, and future plans for underground travel.
The Mayor said the region is in the middle of a ‘transport revolution’ which everyone around Greater Manchester will be part of.
He added that Greater Manchester has been growing ‘faster than the UK economy’ and that the new announcements are a plan to support growth.
All buses in the region are due to fall into the Bee Network by January 5, including services in Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and the remaining parts of Manchester and Salford – with some new lower fares being introduced for commuters.
The Bee Network launched in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester in September last year, as Greater Manchester became the first area to bring buses under local control following deregulation in 1986.
Commuters will see small reductions in prices, with unlimited travel on Bee Network bus services £20 for seven days for an adult and £10 for a child – compared with £21 and £10.50 currently.
Twenty-eight-day travel will be more than £5 cheaper for adults – coming down from £85.40 (£42.70 child) to £80 (£40 for a child).
New ‘hopper’ tickets are part of the bus franchising plans from January 5, which will see people able to use the same ticket on as many Bee Network buses as they like for one hour, at the existing price of £2 for adults and £1 for children and concessions.
Half price monthly bus passes for 18 to 21-year-olds are also due to be announced, supporting a drive towards technical education through the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate qualifications.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Evans reveals Ten Hag 'emotional' after Porto draw
JONNY Evans said Erik ten Hag got 'a bit emotional' after United drew against FC Porto in midweek.
The clear show of unity and 'spirit' can't mask a lack of any real quality
IT can often be the gesture of a team at breaking point, a final show of public defiance when behind the scenes the walls are crumbling.
England are made to toil by Pakistan
ENGLAND were praised for their tenacity as they rallied under pressure on day one of the first Test against Pakistan.
No 10 in plea for calm
THE UK pleaded for \"calm heads and restraint\" in the Middle East on the anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel which triggered a wave of violence across the region.
Winter fuel changes 'add insult to injury'
SLIMMING down the winter fuel payment will \"add insult to injury, an MP has warned, while another asked the Government to put a figure on how many pensioner deaths \"will occur\" as a result of the changes.
Addiction charity boss in second drink-drive ban
WOMAN CRASHED INTO TREE AFTER NIGHT OUT
'Wagatha' legal bill 'over £1.8m' claims Coleen Rooney
COLEEN Rooney has claimed she ran up a legal bill totalling more than £1.8m from her high-profile Wagatha Christie libel battle with Rebekah Vardy, the High Court has been told.
GREENS shoots of recovery
TAPAS BAR TO TAKE OVER SITE OF STAR CHEF'S FORMER RESTAURANT
Man arrested after car ends up in bush
A MAN has been arrested after a car ploughed into bushes next to a Tesco Express car park in Radcliffe.
Cops hunt for inmate who fled in handcuffs
PUBLIC URGED NOT TO APPROACH ON-THE-RUN PRISONER WHO MADE ESCAPE FROM HOSPITAL DURING TREATMENT