Today sees the start of a revolution for buses in Greater Manchester. Single fares will be capped at £2 for adults and £1 for children while day tickets which can be used on all bus services across the city-region will only cost £5.
The introduction of a new simplified fare structure comes 12 months before buses are brought back under public control for the first time since the 1980s.
The new franchising system for buses, which will start in Wigan and Bolton next September and be rolled out across the city-region by the end of 2024, will see companies bid for contracts to run routes chosen by local leaders. Single fares were initially set to be slashed once the new system had come into force, but the scheme was fast-tracked to help people cope with the cost of living.
