Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has announced that travel on public transport is due for a 20% reduction in cost when the Bee Network launches this year on 24 September.  

A new range of tickets will be available, which allows travellers to buy tickets for combined bus and tram travel.

As a statement from Greater Manchester Combined Authority outlines: "Bought through the new Bee Network app and other retail channels, it means unlimited journeys on any bus service and any chosen Metrolink zone for as little as £5.40. 

"Unlimited travel on all buses and the entire Metrolink network – the largest tram system in the UK – will cost £7.80 if travelling off-peak, or £9.50 at peak times.  

"In comparison, the average cost of just parking a car in Manchester city centre is £7 for two hours and £10.27 for three hours."

Although Stockport has yet to benefit from a Metrolink service, residents could still utilise bus services to Manchester or elsewhere, and make use of the trams in other parts of the Greater Manchester borough.  

The Mayor also announced that capped bus fares - £2 for single journeys (£1 for children) and £5 for an AnyBus all day travelcard (£2.50 for children) - will remain in place for another year. 

The Bee Network will deliver an 'integrated, London-style' transport network across Greater Manchester, Stockport included (Image - Alasdair Perry)

These moves form part of the Bee Network, an integrated 'London-style' transport system aimed at increasing use of public transport, reducing emissions and traffic around Manchester.  

For more on the Bee Network and its implications for Stockport, see our explainer HERE. 

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "We know that lower fares make a real difference to people – particularly in today's challenging times – so I am delighted to be able to announce that not only are we extending the capped bus fares for at least another year, we are cutting the cost of travel even more with our new Bee AnyBus + tram tickets, making multi-modal journeys 20% cheaper from September than they are today.

"We are working to deliver a network for our millions of residents and visitors that is every bit as good as the one Londoners have – one that has frequent, reliable services and low fares – and it starts by bringing buses back under local control in three months' time.

"With the potential to travel across the whole of Greater Manchester by bus for just £5 – or as little as £7.80 with the entire tram network included too, the lower fares represent great value for money, particularly compared to the cost of travelling by car."

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