Across the UK, travel on concessionary bus passes is typically limited to after 9.30am on weekdaysAndy Burnham announced the changes on September 2(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

A ‘hugely beneficial’ trial that allowed elderly and disabled people to travel on Greater Manchester buses for free at any time of the day throughout August has been extended. Concessionary bus pass holders will now be able to to travel before 9.30am in November.

The month-long trial saw more than 100,000 concessionary journeys made before 9:30am, ending the complaints of ‘twirlies’ – passengers consistently told they are ‘too early’ to use their pass. Up to 6,000 people a day took advantage of the scheme during August.

The extension of the trial comes after 44 foodbanks, charities and organisations – including Citizens Advice, Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel, Manchester Central Foodbank, Manchester Deaf Centre, Transport for All, and Trussell – sent an open letter to Andy Burnham to ask for the trial to be made permanent.

Making bus travel free before 9.30am for those with concessionary passes has meant disabled and elderly people have been able to access work, social and educational opportunities, as well as things like medical appointments, according to campaigners.

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Joe Troop, who works at Trafford Foodbanks and organised the open letter, said: “The announcement of a second pilot in November is fantastic news, and hopefully a sign that making unrestricted travel for concessionary bus pass holders permanent is being seriously considered.

“We plan to keep on pushing for this change as we know how important it is. I’ve already heard from many pass holders who have told me how impactful August’s trial was for them, and I would love to hear from any readers who would be willing to share how making this trial permanent would have a positive impact on their lives.”

The trial has been a “hugely positive thing for Greater Manchester,” according to Joe, who wanted to add the voice of foodbanks – who increasingly support older and disabled people who are “massively over represented” in the communities they serve – to the conversation

Joe Troop, organiser at Trafford Foodbanks(Image: Joe Troop)

Another issue behind restricting disabled bus travel, Joe said, is that often supermarkets will have quiet times when older or neuro-divergent people are encouraged to shop because stores are quieter at those times – often in the morning.

“So if someone has a concessionary bus pass, they might not actually be able to access things that are specifically designed to support them,” Joe said.

Of the older people who took part, around 44% of the free journeys were made between 9am and 9.30am, and 68% between 8.30am and 9.30am, according to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

Transport for Greater Manchester says it is now considering the results of the trial and feedback received by those who took part.

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM, said: “It’s really important that we do everything we can to help people access education, work, appointments or other opportunities through affordable, accessible and reliable public transport.

“We’re really pleased at the take-up of our recent pilot providing free round-the-clock Bee Network bus travel for older and disabled passengers. The feedback has been really positive and we will now run another trial in November to get more data to inform our next steps.”

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The November trial will take place when the network is at its busiest, and be used to inform a final decision by the end of 2025.

The new trial comes as part of a series of seven changes made to the Bee Network by TfGM – with Andy Burnham promising more frequent services, new night buses, and cheaper travel for tens of thousands.

Speaking on X on September 2, Andy Burnham said: “I hear that people have loved the freedom of being able to use their older person or disabled person’s bus pass in August and we’ve enjoyed running the trial a ctually because a lot of people have taken advantage of it – 6,000 people every day on average.

“So, though this trial is coming to an end, what we are saying today is that we’ll have a second trial in November.

“August is the quietest month but now we’re going to trial it again in the busiest time of the year, removing that 9.30am rule and then take a final decision about what we can do going forward.

“So a second trial removing the 9.30am rule and then we will see what we can do permanently.”

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Anyone who would like to contact Joe Troop to share how making the trial permanent would have a positive impact on their lives can send an email to joetroop@traffordnorth.foodbank.org.uk.