Salford passengers will soon be able to travel seamlessly across bus and tram as the new ‘tap and go’ pay system is set to integrate the Bee Network in less than a month.
Residents in Salford will be able to experience the ‘London-style’ transport system across Greater Manchester from March 23.
The Metrolink system will expand to the bus network and allow more flexible journeys, and will work by simply tapping onto the bus without the need for a ticket.
This system works by card, phone, or smart device, achieving Greater Manchester the long-held ambition, bringing it in line with other global cities.
Fares will be automatically capped to allow passengers the best value for the least hassle. For people making journeys on bus and tram, fares start from £6 (£5.40 off peak) a day or £24.80 for a week depending on the number of zones you travel through.
For bus-only journeys that is £2 for single hopper journeys, £5 for the day or £20 over a week, no matter how many buses you take.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “The introduction of tap and go across bus and tram is huge leap forward for the Bee Network. It is 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.”
Residents will no longer need to plan or buy in advance this new system has been described as “key to the success of the Bee Network.”
Although this system works without you needing a ticket, anyone who still wants to pay with cash or purchase a ticket is still able to do so.
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “Introducing tap and go on buses and integrating that with Metrolink’s existing contactless system will help to make public transport even more convenient and affordable, alongside daily, and weekly fare caps for multi-modal travel and other flexible tickets.
Everitt also stated that “increasingly more and more” people are choosing to not drive for short journeys, walking, taking the bus or other forms of public transport.
Data shows the year-on-year growth in bus and tram use with Metrolink setting a record with 45.6 million trips and bus patronage rising per cent from 2023-24.
Vernon Everitt continued: “These figures also show that we are making positive steps towards Greater Manchester realising its ambitions for half of all journeys to be made using public transport or active travel by 2040, which is equivalent to one million more sustainable journeys every day enabling us to deliver a healthier, greener and more productive city-region.”
The roll out of the new system will begin on March 23, and will hope to improve and help Salford residents travel by bus and tram seamlessly.
More information on the new ‘tap and go’ system can be found here.
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