From Sunday, 23rd March, contactless ‘tap and go’ is being extended from currently being limited to Metrolink services to include Greater Manchester’s Bee network of buses and trams.

From that date, passengers can use their card, phone, or smart device to travel on the Bee Network travel, with the best value fare automatically calculated up to the daily or weekly cap.

Passengers will simply need to tap their device when they board a bus, but will still have the option to pay by cash or purchase tickets via the Bee Network app.

To ensure passengers receive the best value fare up to the daily or weekly cap, fares will be capped automatically, with fares starting from £6 (£5.40 off-peak) a day or £24.80 for a week.

For bus-only journeys a single hopper journey costs£2, £5 for the day or £20 over a week no matter how many buses they take.

A key to the success of the Bee Network is seamless, affordable, and convenient journeys. Tap and go allows customers to travel when, where, and how they want without the need to plan ahead or buy a ticket in advance. There are also plans to include all local train services by 2030.

Sunday, 23rd March also sees the introduction of a new annual bus and tram ticket that will allow unlimited travel on buses and trams for the equivalent of between £2.76 and £4.10. With the support of a Credit Union loan, customers can pay for their payments weekly or monthly at no extra cost, or pay for them in one lump sum from Transport for Great Manchester ticket offices or via the Bee Network app.

These new tickets will be in addition to the existing annual tickets for buses and trams, and 7-day or 28-day travelcards.

“The introduction of tap and go across bus and tram is a huge leap forward for the Bee Network. 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. We’re working hard to deliver a transport network that is greener, cheaper and more reliable than ever before, and this will be the next big milestone since we brought buses back under local control – on time and on budget. We’re keeping fares down and improving reliability. The Bee Network is working for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester, with growing numbers of people travelling, including on our night buses. With later and more frequent services already in place and tap-and-go extending to buses in a month’s time, you can be sure that the Bee Network is here to help you get where you need to go regardless of how, where or when you are travelling.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester