Manchester's Bee Network: £2 Bus Fares Defy National Increase

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Manchester slashes bus fares to £2 for adults and £1 for children, undercutting UK's national £3 fare cap with its new Bee Network system.

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Commuters grab unlimited bus rides within 60 minutes using single-fare 'hopper' tickets, streamlining daily travel across Greater Manchester.

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Weekly passes set at £20 make regular commutes budget-friendly under fresh pricing structure.

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Combined bus-tram daily fare caps launch March 2025 at £9.50, letting passengers mix transport modes without breaking the bank.

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South Manchester reports 54% new buses in service, with planned expansion across network regions.

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Contactless payment system mirrors London's tap-in-tap-out convenience, scheduled for March 2025 deployment across network

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Early rollouts faced bumps with delays hitting Wigan, Bolton in 2023, followed by Oldham, Rochdale disruptions through 2024.

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Critics flag taxpayer burden risks if ridership falls short, while supporters back investment for improved mobility and reduced congestion

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Ambitious plans target seamless bus-train integration by 2028, expanding Manchester's public transport connectivity.

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Manchester's affordable transit overhaul sparks interest as potential blueprint for UK cities seeking public transport solutions.

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