Your one-stop shop for school travel
Here you’ll find everything you need to help plan school travel – and find the right ticket or pass for you.
If you’re moving up to secondary school in September, you can plan your journey now with our handy school travel checklist.
Make sure you apply for your igo card in plenty of time so you can pay child fares on buses and trams.
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Apply early for your igo card today
If you’re 5-16 years old, you must have an igo card to travel using a child ticket on buses and trams in Greater Manchester.
It can take up to two weeks to process your igo card application, so make sure you apply in plenty of time for the start of the new term.
Drop by one of our pop-up stalls at Bee Network interchanges across Greater Manchester for help to get your application in early.
School travel checklist
Here are a few simple things you can do to help plan your journey to school:
- Read your school’s travel information: See which buses, trams or trains run to your school, or if you can walk or cycle.
- Get the Bee Network app: Download the Bee Network app to plan your route, see live times, track your bus, and buy your ticket.
- Get an igo card: You’ll need an igo card to get child tickets on buses and trams.
- Find the best ticket for you: Make sure to check what which ticket to buy.
- Make a backup plan: In case there’s a problem with your bus, tram or train.
- Find out what to expect: See how to behave, travel safely, or get help if you need it.
Travel information for your school
Find advice on travelling to primary school.
Find your school travel options by area below.
Tickets and passes
Whether it's an igo card, Our Pass, Scholar's Permit, Free School Pass or the Care Leavers travel offer, see what you need to get you to school.
For easy, safe and cash-free travel, child bus, tram and bus and tram tickets are now available to buy on the Bee Network app.
How to catch the bus to school
If it’s your first time using the bus, or you just need a reminder, check out our advice for taking the bus to school.
Information for schools and teachers
- Find information on School Streets, Youth Travel Ambassadors, Modeshift Stars travel plans and bespoke school maps. Help to promote walking, wheeling or cycling to school.
- Metrolink’s ‘Kid for a Quid’ offer for school trips
- Help make your school zero carbon
- Museum of Transport school visits
Travel training
Travel training is available to anyone who needs extra help to feel safe and confident using public transport on their own.
Got a question?
Ask your teacher or your school reception first to see if they can help or check out our frequently asked questions.
You can also get in touch with our friendly customer services team here at the Bee Network:
- Phone: 0161 244 1000
- Email: hello@beenetwork.com
We're here:
- Monday to Friday: 7am to 8pm
- Weekends and Bank Holidays: 8am to 8pm