It will make travelling by bus easierA Bee Network V1 bus going down the Leigh Guided Busway(Image: TfGM)

Major rule changes are in store for hundreds of thousands of Bee Network passengers this week.

Transport bosses have confirmed rules for disabled people and the elderly will be altered on Friday, August 1, to make it easier to use Bee Network buses.

From the end of this week, passengers who have an ‘older person’s travel pass’, ‘disabled person’s travel pass’, or a ‘travel plus pass for disabled people’ will be able to use their bus passes at any time.

Currently, the concessionary tickets can only be used after 9:30am on weekdays and all-day on weekends.

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“We’re really excited for no more ‘twirlies’ (older people arriving ‘too early’ to use their bus pass) this August on the Bee Network,” said Erica Woods, co-chair of the Greater Manchester Older People’s Equality Panel.

“This is a great result for older residents and we can’t wait to make the most of it. It’s often older people with financial challenges that rely on buses and currently they can’t get to essential health appointments, meaning that treatment is delayed or they have to use taxis that they can ill-afford.

“And it’s not just older people that will benefit – we’re shoppers, we’re carers, we’re volunteers. This pilot will really help us to unleash our potential.”

While the move has been welcomed by campaigners, the rule change is only temporary for the month of August 2025. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) chiefs said it is being done ‘on a trial basis’, and the impact on bus services before and just after 9:30am will be assessed in September before a final decision is made.

Lifting the restriction was first announced by mayor Andy Burnham on July 9 at the launch of the Greater Manchester Strategy, where a host of transport policies were unveiled including the beginnings of an underground city centre tram and train network.

They also included ‘a new half-price monthly bus pass for 18 to 21 year-olds from September’, costing £40 per month, or £1.43 per day for unlimited Bee Network bus travel. Night buses are also being extended with the 135, from Manchester city centre to Bury via Prestwich, and the 17 and 17a, from Shudehill to Rochdale and Norden, set to run 24/7 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.