Manchester Bee Network will incorporate a new “tap and go” system from March 23.
The Bee Network describes this system as “seamless, affordable, and convenient”.
Passengers can tap their card, phone, or smart device to pay for transit.
This system will automatically account for the daily or weekly cap, calculating the best value for one’s fare.
“The introduction of tap and go across bus and tram is a huge leap forward for the Bee Network,” said Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester. “It’s a key step in our plan to ensure we have a world-class public transport system fit for our needs as a growing city-region.”
The use of buses and trams is on the rise in Greater Manchester, which reflects the city’s sustainability goals. In 2024, the city hoped for half of all passenger journeys to made be on public transit.
As for prices: bus-only routes cap out at £2 for a single ride, £5 for a day, or £20 a week.
For bus and tram journeys, fares depend on the number of zones travelled. These start at £6 for a day (£5.40 off peak) and £24.80 for a week, if a passenger is travelling with a bus and one tram zone.
The highest fare, for passengers travelling by bus and all four tram zones, is £9.50 per day (£7.80 off peak), or £41 per week.
Also on March 23, the Bee Network will launch a new annual ticket for the equivalent of between £2.76 and £4.10 a day. This will unlock unlimited yearly travel across both buses and trams.
Cash fares, traditional tickets, or electronic tickets bought through the Bee Network app will continue to be accepted on transit.
