Consider all other travel options before using public transport, including cycling and walking. For guidance and advice on cycling and walking, including tips and advice on journey planning, click here.
If pupils must use the bus or public transport, space will be limited due to social distancing – and once capacity is reached passengers will not be permitted to board on commercial or Yellow Buses.
Those who must use public transport can help maintain a safer environment by following a few simple measures:
- Wear a face covering
- Keep a two-metre distance where possible on the platform, stop, station and on board
- Wash or sanitise your hands regularly and carry you own hand sanitiser
- Buy tickets online for smart cards or use mobile apps where possible, and use exact change if cash is needed
A TfGM iGo card is proof of age ID (needed for child tickets from age 11) and is also a smart card for buying tickets online, see below for details.
If you are interested in keeping up to date with the latest news and offers for school travel products, sign up to our schools newsletter.
Cycling and Walking
Consider all other travel options before using public transport, including cycling and walking.
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.
School bus services
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) subsidise around 338 dedicated school services. Most are ordinary bus routes open to the general public and, as such, primary school children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Yellow School Bus services
We run a fleet of 87 hybrid-electric Yellow School Buses (YSB), which are not open to the general public and need to be applied for. They pick-up and drop-off children close to home, in a safe place to wait and board.
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.
Scholars Concessionary 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.
Have fun on the transport network at home
We’ve produced a range of fun and creative activities to help you and the family enjoy and learn about the transport network from the safety of your own home.
From colouring in and counting, to join the dots, word searches, build your own tram, quiz sheets and puzzles.
Follow the link below to learn more and download two activity packs.
Clean Air – Play YOUR part
How we choose to travel to school affects us all.
Vehicle exhausts can produce harmful gases and tiny particles of soot and other matter that pollute the air we all breathe. They also cause health problems and harm our environment.
We’ve created an online game to help teach you about the effects of air pollution and how you can help reduce these effects.
We’re looking hard at ways to improve our air quality. But, unless we all play a part, transport emissions will continue to harm us.
There's more to see and do as Greater Manchester reopens.
If you're having a day or night out, please plan ahead to get there and back safely.
Safe streets save lives in Greater Manchester
Local authorities are using temporary pop-up measures to give pedestrians and cyclists more space.
Have fun on the transport network at home
We’ve produced a range of fun and creative activities including colouring in, word searches and quizzes
There's more to see and do as Greater Manchester reopens.
If you're having a day or night out, please plan ahead to get there and back safely.
Safe streets save lives in Greater Manchester
Local authorities are using temporary pop-up measures to give pedestrians and cyclists more space.
Have fun on the transport network at home
We’ve produced a range of fun and creative activities including colouring in, word searches and quizzes