Good News for August: Kids Go Free on the Buses

Here’s a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of just before the summer holidays kick in.

Throughout the entire month of August, children aged between 5 and 15 can travel completely free on Bee Network buses right across Greater Manchester.

There is no need to apply for a card, no forms to fill in, and no sign-up process at all. Children aged 5 to 15 can simply get on and travel for free.

This offer is part of a wider national summer scheme, which means that the free travel also applies on participating buses throughout England. So, if you are planning a short break or a few days away, it’s a handy benefit that could save you money on the journey.

Even better, a second scheme extends to older children too. Our Pass, the free bus pass normally available to 16 to 18 year olds, is being activated early from 1 August to cover the school summer holiday period. This means that, for the whole month of August, almost all under-18s in Greater Manchester can travel by bus for free.

If you have children, you’ll know how long the school holidays can feel and how quickly the cost of day trips can stack up. This initiative takes an entire chunk of that cost off the table. Whether you fancy a trip to Bury Market, a hike in the hills above Mossley, an afternoon in Heaton Park, a stroll along the canal in Worsley, or a wander around a part of Greater Manchester you’ve never really explored, you can do it all without worrying about bus fares. With six long weeks to fill, free travel makes the spontaneous “shall we just go somewhere?” moments so much easier to say yes to.

A quick tip while it’s fresh in your mind: if your child is starting secondary school in September, it’s a good idea to sort out their igo card now. It costs £10, allows 11 to 16 year olds to access child fares once the free travel period ends, and can take a few weeks to arrive by post. A little preparation now will save a lot of hassle later.

For full details, including eligibility and participating services, head over to the Bee Network website.

Ten boroughs, free buses, all through August. Make the most of it and get out exploring!

For some tips on free things to do, check out our other blogs below!