ABOUT, ELIGIBILITY & HOW TO APPLY
Q: What is Our Pass? A: A: Our Pass offers eligible 16–18-year-olds free bus travel on all local bus services across Greater Manchester, making it easier to access education, work, training, culture and leisure in the city-region. Our Pass also provides access to a range of freebies, discounts and experiences for 16–18-year-olds in Greater Manchester (“Exclusives”).
Q: Am I eligible for Our Pass? A: To be eligible for a live Our Pass card right now, you need to have been born between 01/09/2006 and 31/08/2008.
If you’re 16 and leaving school this summer you can apply from 19th May 2025. Our Pass is designed to support young people for what would be the equivalent years 12 & 13 to ensure that they can make the decisions about what to do after school without travel being a financial barrier to that choice. You can apply for Our Pass regardless of whether you plan to start college, sixth form, an apprenticeship or your first job. Our Pass eligibility starts when igo eligibility expires, full information can be found at ourpass.co.uk/about
Q: Am I eligible to apply this year? A: To be eligible to apply for Our Pass as part of the current new intake for 2025-2026, an applicant must:
- be resident in Greater Manchester
- be aged at least 16 and under 18 on the 31st August 2025, which means that their DOB is between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2009
Those eligible for Our Pass in 2025-2026 intake can apply from 19th May 2025 and can start using Our Pass from 1 September 2025.
Q: How do I apply for Our Pass?
A: those born between 01/09/2008 and 31/08/2009 can apply for a digital pass via the Bee Network app, this way you will always have your pass to hand on your phone, no worrying about losing your card! If you don’t have a smartphone, you can call our customer services team on 0161 244 1000 available from Monday to Friday 7am – 8pm, weekends and bank holidays 8am–8pm.
If you were born between 01/09/2007 and 31/08/2008 you can apply through our website. Follow the steps from the homepage.
To apply, you will need a passport style photo to upload, proof of your date of birth and proof that you live in Greater Manchester. You will also need a credit or debit card to pay the application fee. You can find more help and instructions here: ourpass.co.uk/get-our-pass/. Once your pass is live, or your card is received, you’ll need to activate your account at ourpass.co.uk for access to Exclusives.
Please note you can only have one type of Our Pass, a digital pass or a physical card. It is not possible to have both.
Q: Do I need to apply for the digital Our Pass on the phone I’ll be using it on? What if I change device?
A: Yes, the digital Our Pass will be locked to the device you apply on. Parents helping or applying on behalf of their children, should apply on the child’s phone.
If you change device, reach out to the customer services team on 0161 244 1000, available from Monday to Friday 7am – 8pm and on weekends and Bank Holidays from 8am to 8pm.
Q: What if I don’t have a smart phone or internet access to apply for a digital pass?
A: If you do not have access to a smartphone or to the internet for your application, or if you need additional help. You can call 0161 244 1000, available from Monday to Friday 7am – 8pm, or call into your nearest Bee Network travel and information office for a paper application form.
Q: I was born before September 2008, can I apply through the Bee Network app and have a digital pass?
A: For those born between 1/9/08 and 31/08/09, we have introduced a digital pass and new application process available through the Bee Network app.
Unfortunately for those outside this date range wishing to apply, or those who already hold a card, this feature will not be available, and any lost or stolen physical cards will be replaced with another physical card.
Q: Can I check the status of my application?
A: Yes, you will get an email once your application has been submitted, if we need more information, and if your application is approved or rejected. Make sure to check your junk folder just in case your emails end up in there.
Those eligible to apply in the Bee Network app can also easily check the status by going to the account section of your app.
Q: When will my pass be available to use?
A: Those applying through the Bee Network app will be able to track the progress of their application through the Bee Network app. Once approved, the pass will be visible but only available to use from 1 September.
Those applying for a physical card from May 2025 will not receive their travel card through the post until late August 2025, to be used from the start of September.
The travel card is valid until 31 August after their 18th birthday (or until their 18th birthday, if this is 31 August). They can continue to use their igo card until they become eligible for Our Pass. Igo cards expire on 31 August after their 16th birthday.
Q: Can I have both a digital pass and a card?
A: No, you can only apply for one or the other. If you have a smart phone you should apply for a digital pass, if you don’t have a smart phone, you should contact customer services who will be able to assist. Customer services can be contacted on 0161 244 1000 from Monday to Friday 7am – 8pm and on weekends and Bank Holidays from 8am to 8pm.
Q: How do I use my digital our pass?
A: If approved, your Our Pass will reside on your device and be available for use from September, full instructions will be shared ahead of September so that you are confident in how to use it. Keep an eye out for emails and in the Bee Network app for updates.
Q: Can I apply for an Our Pass if I currently hold a Disability English National Concessionary Travel Pass? A:Yes, as long as you are born between 1st September 2006 and 31st August 2008 you are eligible to apply for an Our Pass. You will need to apply online at ourpass.co.uk. You will need a passport style photo to upload, proof of your date of birth and proof that you live in Greater Manchester. You will also need a credit or debit card to pay the application fee.
Q:Is there a benefit to applying for an Our Pass if I currently hold a Disability English National Concessionary Travel Pass? A: Yes, the Our Pass provides access to a range of exclusive offers, discounts and experiences for 16–18-year-olds in Greater Manchester (“Exclusives”). The Our Pass also offers free travel on Bus before 09:30 rather than the concessionary fare with the Disability Concessionary Travel Pass.
Q: What does Our Pass cost? A: There is a one-off application fee of £10. If you lose your card there will be a £10 replacement fee. These costs cover things like administration and postage of the card.
Q: Is Our Pass permanent? A: Yes, in February 2023, Greater Manchester Leaders agreed to make the Our Pass scheme permanent, subject to an annual review.
Q: I travel by tram, is the scheme only for free travel on buses?
A: Our Pass members are able to access half price, off-peak 1-day and weekend Travelcards for Metrolink at beenetwork.com as part of the scheme. Metrolink tickets must be purchased in advance. If you have a digital pass, you will be able to purchase these tickets in the Bee Network app.
Q: Which bus services will I be able to use the Our Pass card on?
A: You will be able to use your Our Pass on all bus services within Greater Manchester. You will need to pay for any part of your journey outside of Greater Manchester. There are no time or day restrictions to use Our Pass for travelling by bus.
Q: What documentation do I need to provide to prove my age and residency?
A: In order to apply you will need a passport style photo, proof of your date of birth and proof of residency in Greater Manchester. Proof of your age can be a copy or photo of your:
- UK Passport, EU or EEA passport
- Provisional or full driving licence
- Long or short birth certificate (inc. Non-EU Birth Certificate)
- Adoption Order/Certificate
- A PASS proof of age card (Validate UK ID card)
- NHS medical card
- NHS App Personal Details Screenshot
- Biometric residence permit (BPR)
- Validate UK ID card
- EU/ EEA national ID card
- HM forces ID card
- UFF/GV3 Declaration of identity form
- Letter from Local Authority of legal guardianship
Proof of your address can be one of the following:
- Full or provisional driving licence (if not being used for proof of age)
- Full or provisional driving licence screenshot of address details.
- National Insurance letter (must show current address)
- Letter from a government department e.g. HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Work and Pensions or Department for Education
Or one of the following if issued in the last three months:
- Letter or statement from your bank or building society (you can download statements from most online banking accounts)
- Recent mobile phone bill or utility bill*
- A letter from HMRC about Tax Credits or Child Benefit addressed to a parent or guardian, in which the young person is named.
* If you aren’t able to provide any of these items, you can request a confirmation letter from your school or college that confirms your home address and current age and date of birth.
You can find more advice and instructions about how to upload proof of age and where you live at ourpass.co.uk/get-our-pass.
Q: Why do I need to prove that I live in Greater Manchester? I go to college in GM but live outside of GM, why am I not eligible?
A: Our Pass is funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which covers the ten Greater Manchester Districts. If your local council is not one of these, you will not be eligible for Our Pass. Your local Council may offer support with travel costs for 16-18 year old students; you can find out more information here: https://www.gov.uk/subsidised-college-transport-16-19
Your school or college may also offer support with the cost of education, you can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
Q: Can someone else pay for me?
A: Yes, when you come to fill out card details at the end of the application, you can enter the card details for who is paying. Remember to ensure that you have consent to use someone else’s card.
Q: I’m an organisation that applies and pays for Our Pass on behalf of others, how can I do this?
A: We can support organisations, such as schools and colleges, in bulk applications for students via paper applications. TfGM (Bee Network) will then invoice the organisation for the administration fees (£10 per application). Please contact our Customer Support Centre on 0161 244 1000 who will be able to direct you to the relevant team to set this up or provide further information.
Q: I currently get a Travel Bursary from my school/college. Will this be impacted with the introduction of Our Pass? A: You need to speak to your school/college directly about their individual bursary schemes.
Q: I haven’t got proof of my address or age, what should I do?
A: If you aren’t able to provide any of these items, you can request a confirmation letter from your school or college that confirms your home address and current age and date of birth. If you are still having difficulties with this please contact TfGM customer services for free on 0161 244 1000 to discuss if there are any other options available. You can now also reach us through our new Live Chat feature on the Bee Network website, available from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
Q: Do I need to have my Our Pass with me to get free bus travel?
A: Yes, you must have a valid Our Pass with you when you travel. If you don’t have a valid Our Pass either on your Bee Network app, or as a physical card, you will need to pay full adult fares and cannot claim a refund later. If you have a digital Our Pass, make sure you have enough charge on your phone for your full journey.
HELP: PROBLEMS WITH APPLICATIONS & LOST OR STOLEN PASSES
Q: How can I contact Bee Network (TfGM) customer services?
A: The customer services team are available on 0161 244 1000 from Monday to Friday 7am – 8pm, weekends and bank holidays 8am–8pm. You can now also reach us through our Live Chat feature on the Bee Network website, available from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
Q: I am struggling to submit my application on the Bee Network app
A: If you are having issues with your application, please take screenshots and email help@ourpass.co.uk with the issue. Alternatively, you can reach out to the customer services team on 0161 244 1000, available from Monday to Friday 7am – 8pm and on weekends and Bank Holidays from 8am to 8pm.
Q: I’ve lost my pass, what do I do?
A: You can report your card lost or stolen by logging into your account here manage.ourpass.co.uk/home.faces. You will need to know your Our Pass card number and log in details to do this. If you don’t know these details or would like to speak to someone, you can contact TfGM customer services on 0161 244 1000 or email help@ourpass.co.uk and they will be able to help. You can now also reach us through our Live Chat feature on the Bee Network website, available from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
There is a £10 admin fee for a replacement card. Once a pass has been reported as lost or stolen, it is instantly cancelled and cannot be re-activated so nobody else can use it. If the original is found, we cannot issue a refund for the replacement as the original card will not be valid for use.
Q: I have found someone’s Our Pass Card. What do I do?
A: Return the card to the Bee Network at Transport for Greater Manchester, 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, M1 3BG or to a Bee Network Travel and Information Office and we will get in touch with the card holder.
Q: I reported my pass lost or stolen but it hasn’t arrived yet. A: Please be patient while you wait for your new pass to arrive by post. If you haven’t received your new pass after 10 days of re-applying, please contact us again.
Q: I applied for a card, why haven’t I received it yet?/when will I get it?
A: If you applied before 16th August 2025, your pass should arrive in time to use from 1 September. Cards ordered later than 16 August are not guaranteed for 1 September but are being processed as quickly as possible. After 1 September, your pass should arrive within 7-10 working days after you have applied. If it hasn’t arrived within 10 working days, please check the card status in your travel portal account and/or contact our customer services team on 0161 244 1000. You can now also reach us through our new Live Chat feature on the Bee Network website, available from Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
Q: I got a replacement Our Pass card. How can I activate it? Will it just work when I get on a bus?
A: Yes, your new Our Pass card can be used straight away on the bus for travel. In order to access Exclusives, you will need to set up and activate your Exclusives account at ourpass.co.uk, if you haven’t already.
HELP: PROBLEMS USING THE TRAVEL PASS
Q: What if a bus driver doesn’t recognise Our Pass and I can’t get on the bus?
A: Bee Network works with the bus operators providing registered services in Greater Manchester to ensure that their on-bus equipment recognises Our Pass and that all drivers are aware of the pass. If you experience any problems, please phone the Bee Network’s customer service team on 0161 244 1000 with details of which service, when and where you have had a problem.
Q: What do I do if my Our Pass doesn’t work when I present it to the bus ticket machine?
A: If your card doesn’t work when it is presented to the bus ticket machine, either the card or the bus equipment could be faulty. The bus driver will check your pass and should allow you to travel. However, if you have problems on more than one service, you should contact our customer service team on 0161 244 1000 to arrange a replacement.
EXCLUSIVES, OUR PASS EXCLUSIVES APP & WEBSITE ACCOUNT
Exclusives
Our Pass members will need to create a website account once they receive their travel card. This is separate to their travel portal account and offers access to Our Pass Exclusives: freebies, discounts and experiences on top of free bus travel and discounted tram tickets. See below for more information.
Q: What are the Exclusives associated with Our Pass? A: From 1 September, new Our Pass members will be able to access a range of Exclusives offers, discounts and experiences for 16-18 year olds in Greater Manchester via the Our Pass website. All Exclusives can be accessed via a dedicated web page: ourpass.co.uk/guide/exclusives. Exclusives could take the form of discounts, free tickets, event access, retail offers, leisure offers and so on. Exclusives are all time-limited, and so may be available for a short period, or available for a matter of months. The details of timings and terms and conditions can be found on the individual listing on the website. Where appropriate, supplementary information will be provided as a Knowledge Bank by the Our Pass team (see below). Exclusives are regularly updated and are promoted via email and the Our Pass social media accounts.
Our Pass Exclusives App
Our Pass members can access all of the great Exclusives offers easily by downloading the new Our Pass Exclusives App. The App is now available to download:
- Apple App store https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/our-pass-exclusives/id1664704624
- Android devices https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ourpass.app
The Our Pass Exclusives App allows members to sign up, sign in and stay signed in, making it easier to apply for all the great Our Pass Exclusives offers straight from your phone.
**The Our Pass App does not replace your Our Pass. You will still need to show your digital pass on the Bee Network app, or your physical card in order to travel for free on the bus or to use the travel discount on the tram.**
You can find out more about the Our Pass Exclusives App https://ourpass.co.uk/get-the-our-pass-app/
Q: What if I access an Exclusive that is then cancelled?
A: Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate for cancelled events or other Exclusives, as their availability and proceeding is down to the company who are providing it. We will not be able to provide an alternative in its place but you can continue to apply for other current and future Exclusives.
Q: How do I access Exclusives / how do I set up a website account / how do I activate my website account? A: All Exclusives can be accessed via a dedicated web page: ourpass.co.uk/guide/exclusives. All Exclusives are only available to Our Pass members, and you will need to sign up for an Exclusives account in order to apply.
To register for or activate your Exclusives account: If you haven’t already signed up, go to ourpass.co.uk/register and enter the details on the registration form, including:
- Your Our Pass number
- Date of birth
- Email address
- A new password. This password is not the same password as the one created when you first applied for your card; you are setting up a new, separate account specifically for Exclusives.
- Once you have successfully completed the form and submitted it, you will receive an email with a link. You need to click the link to complete your account registration.
- Once registered, you can sign in at ourpass.co.uk/sign-in and access the information about the exclusive of your choosing.
– If you have previously signed up, go to ourpass.co.uk/sign-in and:
- Enter the email and password associated with the website account
- One signed in you can access detailed information, including how to apply, on the exclusives page.
Q: I have got a replacement Our Pass card, do I need to set up a new Exclusives account? A: No, just visit our account update page and input your new our Pass card number along the rest of your details. You should then be able to sign in and start applying for our exciting Exclusives offers.
Q: How do I apply for an Exclusive? A: All exclusives can be accessed via ourpass.co.uk/guide/exclusives. Once you’re signed in, you will receive full listings information (such as times, dates, venue, location), and instructions as to how to apply for or redeem the exclusive. This will vary, but can generally be split into four main ways:
- Via a short application form on the Our Pass website, with specific instructions tailored to the individual Exclusive.
- Via ‘Flash Pass’, i.e. the user simply shows their card at the event or venue to redeem the Exclusive.
- Via the Exclusive provider’s website, i.e. following a link to receive an offer / promotion code.
- Via an open competition, such as on social media, where full details of what is required are carried as part of the listings information.
Q: I used the password and email address I had already, but I can’t sign in A. The website account is different to the account you created when you applied for Our Pass. You will need to register for a new website account at ourpass.co.uk/register. Enter the details on the registration form.
You will need:
- Your Our Pass number
- Date of birth
- Email address
And you will be asked to enter a new password. This password is not the same password as the one created when you first applied for the card; you are setting up a new account specifically for exclusives. Once you have successfully completed the form and submitted it, you will receive an email with a link. Click the link to complete your account registration.
Q: My card has been lost or stolen; can I still access Exclusives? A: Your Our Pass website account will be suspended within 24 hours of reporting your card lost or stolen. This means that while you can still log in to your website account, you won’t be able to apply for any Exclusives until you have received your new card. When you receive your new card you will be able to enter your new card number on ourpass.co.uk/account – this will allow you to sign into the website and take advantage of Our Pass exclusives. Please note, it can take up to 24 hours for your website account to be activated.