Hundreds of students in Derbyshire are set to benefit from free bus travel to colleges in the Manchester area next term.
Mayor Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, confirmed a deal in principle with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Mayor, Andy Burnham, to support free bus travel into college in Greater Manchester for students living in High Peak during her campaign to become East Midlands Mayor.
Now Mayor Claire has announced a proposal to launch a pilot in September, at the start of the new academic year, which could save students and their families hundreds of pounds a year in travel costs. The pilot would apply to eligible Derbyshire students travelling on direct bus services to colleges in the GMCA area.
Mayor Claire said:
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to identify a way forward for Derbyshire students who need to travel to the Manchester area to study.
“It’s simply unfair that the lack of further education provision in the High Peak means young people get a worse deal than others in the county”.
Because of the complexity of agreeing a formal scheme with new bus passes, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is finalising negotiations with the bus companies who provide the five direct services to colleges to allow free travel to Manchester area colleges from September, with the initiative set for imminent approval.
For the trial EMCCA is proposing that students will simply be asked to show their college ID card and their b_line2 card to the bus driver at the start of their journey.
“It will take some months to finalise some of the practical and technical details needed for a more comprehensive scheme, but I didn’t want students to have to wait until next year to get the support they need, so we’ve proposed a way forward with bus operators and Derbyshire County Council that will allow us to do the behind-the-scenes work.
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to agree a way forward with Derbyshire County Council that will benefit our young people,” said Mayor Claire.
“It makes good economic sense to support as many students as we can to travel to the colleges where they want to study and learn. It’s one of my priorities to make sure everyone gets the skills they need and this is one practical way to help us achieve this for the East Midlands,” said Mayor Claire.
Q: Will I need to apply for a Greater Manchester Our Pass?
A: No, but you will need to apply for a b_line card from Derbyshire County Council if your young person doesn’t already have one. Students must show both their b_line card along with their college ID to be able to travel for free.
You can apply for your b_line card here: https://bline.mybuspass.co.uk/
Q: What routes is this scheme valid on?
A: The free travel offer is available on the 5 direct cross boundary services from Derbyshire into Greater Manchester which are the 199, 237, 341, 358 and 394. Travel on connecting bus services onto these 5 cross boundary routes from other parts of the High Peak and the rest of Derbyshire would not be covered by the free scheme.
Q: What will happen when I get on the bus?
A: You will need to show your college ID and present your b_line pass and the driver will let you travel for free on the selected routes.
Q: If I forget my b_line pass but show my college ID can I travel for free?
A: No, you must have a valid b_line pass to be allowed to travel for free.
Q: Can I use other bus routes once in Greater Manchester?
A: No, it only applies to the 5 bus routes as above.
Q: Can I use these same routes for social purposes?
A: The aim of the scheme is to provide free travel for students to and from their further education establishment only.
Q: How long will this pilot scheme last?
A: We plan to run this pilot for the academic year before we review if and how it could be enhanced or extended. We will though review how well the pilot is working at the end of the first term (Christmas 2024) and make amendments if necessary.