How we travel around Greater Manchester has changed. Whether you’re returning to school or college, or you’re a parent of school-age children, please plan ahead and follow the latest travel guidance to help keep everyone safe.
Where they can, we’re encouraging children and parents to walk, cycle or scoot to school. These can be a safe and healthy way to make shorter journeys, while freeing up space for pupils who need to use public transport.
We've invested £2m of government funding in around 300 additional bus journeys each weekday to help students get to school safely. But please bear in mind that space will be limited on many services due to social distancing – and once capacity is reached passengers won’t be allowed to board.
On the bus, tram or train you can take responsibility for keeping yourself and others safe by following a few simple measures:
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Wear a face covering on-board and in stations and interchanges, unless you’re under 11 or you’re exempt for another reason.
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Keep your distance where possible on the platform, stop, station and on-board.
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Follow your school’s guidance and sit with other members of your own school bubble where possible.
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Clean your hands regularly and carry your own hand sanitiser.
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Use contactless payment, buying tickets online for smart cards or using mobile apps where possible, or use exact change only if you need to pay with cash.
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Don’t board public transport if you, or a member of you household, has symptoms of coronavirus.
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If a child develops symptoms while at school or college, the school will contact parents and they must return home. They should not travel home on public transport.
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Back to school travel advice
Read our handy tips and travel advice to help children and students get to and from school on time (and make sure they don’t get a detention for being late!)
Duplicate bus journeys
TfGM has worked with operators to run around 300 additional bus journeys each weekday across the region to help students get to school safely.
Cycling and walking tips for parents
Travelling on foot, by bike or by scooter can be a safe and healthy way to make shorter trips to school.
School bus services and timetables
We subsidise more than 300 dedicated school services and run a fleet of hybrid-electric Yellow School Buses.
igo card
From the age of 11 until 31 August after your 16th birthday, you can pay child fares on buses in Greater Manchester if you have an iGo card.
Our Pass
A pass that gives 16-18 year-olds across Greater Manchester the freedom to travel, work and learn.
Free School pass
If you're under 16 and it's a long way to school, a Free School Pass lets you travel there and back for nothing. You must apply for a pass from your local council not from TfGM.
Scholar's permit
If you're aged between 16 to 19, you can pay for child fares on buses, trams and trains in Greater Manchester for your travel to school or college.
Do your bit
As people return to work and school, we have the information you need to make smart and safe travel choices.
A Greater Manchester-wide Clean Air Zone is coming
You can help shape the final plans from 8 October
Safe streets save lives in Greater Manchester
Local authorities are using temporary pop-up measures to give pedestrians and cyclists more space.
If you can, travel contactless, use the app or buy online
If you are travelling on Metrolink, you can now get a receipt when you travel contactless.
Do your bit
As people return to work and school, we have the information you need to make smart and safe travel choices.
A Greater Manchester-wide Clean Air Zone is coming
You can help shape the final plans from 8 October
If you can, travel contactless, use the app or buy online
If you are travelling on Metrolink, you can now get a receipt when you travel contactless.
Safe streets save lives in Greater Manchester
Local authorities are using temporary pop-up measures to give pedestrians and cyclists more space.