Bus pass ‘will improve chances’ for the young
THE leader of Rochdale council said the region’s new free youth bus pass will improve the chances of thousands of the borough’s young people.
The Our Pass scheme, which covers 16 to 18-year-olds in Greater Manchester, went live at the beginning of the new school year in September.
Youngsters can now travel for free on local buses across the region, benefit from discount fares on the tram, and make the most of exclusive offers from a range of partner organisations.
Rochdale Council Leader Allen Brett said: “This will improve the chances of thousands of young people in our borough and bring some of
the many more opportunities to them.
“Teenagers from low income families will no longer have to worry about not being able to pay for the bus.
“Of course not every one can afford to buy a car or cough up money for bus fares every week.
“It’s very welcome news for a lot of people and it’s exactly the sort of thing that councils in Greater Manchester should be joining up to provide.”
Thousands of 16-18 year olds have already signed up and received their purple Our Pass card for a one-off £10 administration fee as part of GM Mayor Andy Burnham’s plan.
The youngsters can now get to college, into training and into work easier by bus and also get half-price off-peak one day and weekend travel cards on the Metrolink as well.
More than 50 organisations have opened their doors or provided offers in a first wave with more set to be revealed in October that will come with the JD Sports-sponsored card.
Rochdale-specific offers involve a free seven-day pass at Rochdale Leisure Centre or Littleborough Sports Centre and 20 per cent off at Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre but teenagers in the borough can use any of the GM opportunities.
There are free tickets available for some Our Pass holders in a range of different sports, including cricket at Lancashire Cricket Club, football at Curzon Ashton, FC United, Oldham Athletic and Radcliffe FC, basketball at the Manchester Giants and rugby league at the Leigh Centurions.
There are also free tickets that can be claimed at orchestras, plays and music shows.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Our Pass will change the lives of young people across Greater Manchester. Providing 16-18 year olds with free bus travel and half-price off peak travel on Metrolink was an important step, now by confirming this first wave of opportunities we are giving our young people a reason to get out and about.
“Our Pass is designed to show everyone growing up here we believe in them and these opportunities will give young people the chance to explore this amazing place we live in and to build for the future.”
Details on how to access opportunities can be found by visiting www.ourpass.co.uk