Bev Craig launches Greater Manchester mayoral campaign with pledge for free bus travel for every 11 to 18 year old

Labour's candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor, Bev Craig, has launched her campaign with a pledge to provide free Bee Network bus travel for every young person aged 11 to 18 if elected.

The announcement was made at a campaign launch event in Bury attended by around 200 supporters, alongside former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell.

Craig said she would expand the existing Our Pass scheme, which currently provides free bus travel for eligible 16 to 18 year olds, to cover everyone aged between 11 and 18 across Greater Manchester.

She said the proposal would help families with the cost of living while making it easier for young people to access education, employment and opportunities across the city region.

Speaking at the launch, Craig said, "When Greater Manchester fought to take control of the buses… it wasn't just about saying where a bus route goes. It was putting power and control back into the hands of local people. And we have seen what that does. We have seen that open doors and opportunities."

She added that she had spoken to families struggling with transport costs.

"I have been talking to families that have been telling me how tight it is. I spoke to a mum who is making decisions and cutting back, not buying the stuff that she needed, not looking after herself, because she still had to pay for her kids bus fare to get them to school."

Craig also said she had heard from young people who felt transport costs limited their opportunities.

"I have spoken to young people who have said they are held back by lack of opportunity. How at the age of 15, getting around our city region still costs too much.

"And I have spoken to 16 and 18 year olds who have seen the great benefits that Our Pass has been able to bring.

"So that's why I am proud to announce if I was elected as Greater Manchester's Mayor, all bus travel for 11 to 18 year olds will be free.

"This to me is the test. It is something that puts hundreds of pounds back into the pockets of ordinary people to make their life better. And it is something that opens the doors to tens and tens of thousands of young people across our city region that says this place is for you."

Craig said she wants to help people across Greater Manchester with "getting around and getting on in life" if elected. She also highlighted ambitions including investment in town centres, more council and affordable homes and continued development of the Bee Network.

Andy Burnham endorsed Craig at the event, saying, "At this election that is in front of us now, what we have built together, we have to defend together. Because Greater Manchester is built on the politics of partnership, of bringing people together, the politics of unity, always understanding that together we are more than the sum of our parts.

"I have stood on many stages with Bev Craig in this country, in Greater Manchester, nationally and around the world. I have seen her incredible capability. She is the person who I think is a born leader… a born person who unites us all together. That is what she is all about. She brings people together.

"It is not all about the leader. It is all about who the next team captain is for Greater Manchester… Bev Craig."

The Greater Manchester mayoral election is scheduled to take place on Thursday 30th July.