Greater Manchester to introduce tap-in, tap-out system for buses and trams in March

A new tap-in, tap-out payment system for buses and trams will be introduced across Greater Manchester in March 2025.

This system will allow commuters on the Bee Network to travel for a capped daily fare, with a maximum multi-modal rate of £9.50 per day or £7.80 during off-peak times, eliminating the need to purchase tickets in advance.

Starting from 23 March, passengers will be able to use their bank card or smart payment devices to pay for journeys.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, praised the initiative as “a massive step forward in terms of delivering a London-style transport network.” He added, “Moving to this pay-as-you-go system is going to make public transport more affordable and easier to pay for.”

Bus passengers will also benefit from daily fare caps, with a maximum charge of £5 per day or a new weekly cap of £20. The scheme will initially apply to adult fares only.

The tap-in, tap-out system will be launched three months after all bus services in Greater Manchester complete their return to local public control in January 2025. 

The Bee Network, a publicly controlled transport system, began in September 2023, marking a shift away from deregulation and privatisation that had been in place since 1985. 

The final phase of the Bee Network will bring the remaining services under local control by 5 January 2025.

Picture credit: EPA