People travelling into Manchester during the festive period may notice a familiar face spreading Christmas cheer on Metrolink – though with a new Bee Network-inspired look – to help people get on board with public transport and active travel.
Father Christmas is swapping his traditional red and white garb for the yellow of the Bee Network’s franchised buses, Metrolink and cycle hire bikes as part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s ‘Get on Board’ Christmas campaign.
With Christmas being the season of giving, 2,000 Bee Network pin badges will be given out by Santa and his helpers along with leaflets promoting festive discounts and daily competitions.
Prizes include free cycle hire minute vouchers and tickets to fantastic shows such as Disney on Ice, pantomimes and gigs at iconic venues like the Lowry, Royal Exchange, AO Arena and Band on the Wall. To enter and being with a chance of winning, visit the Get on Board Christmas website.
The Get On Board Christmas website also allows people to plan their festive travel by providing tailored suggestions for destinations and days out for those who are stuck for ideas.
To make this Christmas one to remember, TfGM is also offering festive discounts at a range of partner locations across Manchester*. These offers can be claimed by showing a live Bee AnyBus + Tram ticket on the Bee Network app between the following dates:
• 20-26 November: 20% discount at Feel Good Club
• 27th-31st December: 15% and a free bee badge at The Sculpts
• 1st-31st December: 20% off at Hard Rock Café
• 1st-14th December: 25% off at SEA LIFE Manchester*
• 8th-15th December: 10% discount at Hotel Indigo and 15% off their café and restaurant
With the launch of the first franchised bus services and app in September, the Bee Network is making travel easier across Greater Manchester. No matter how you get around, the Bee Network app has the right ticket for you with a range of affordable, flexible tickets to use on any bus, or any bus and tram.
For example, the new Bee AnyBus + Tram ticket can be 20% cheaper when compared to the
existing range of AnyBus and Metrolink tickets when bought separately. The AnyBus + Tram travelcard also provides great value when you compare it to the cost of travelling by car.
• A £6.00 Bee Anybus + Tram (one zone) travelcard – providing unlimited travel on buses in GM and one Metrolink zone will cost people £1.00 less than parking in many city centre car parks for just two hours.
• While a £9.50 Bee AnyBus + tram (all zones) travelcard - providing unlimited travel on buses in GM and the entire Metrolink network will be more than 75p less than parking in many city centre car parks for just three hours.
In addition, the Bee Network app provides live departure times for local bus, tram and train stops and stations, as well as the new Bee Network Customer Contact Centre and Rate Your Journey feature.
Journey planning, which is currently available on the Bee Network website, will also be added to the app in the New Year.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Whether you’re working, shopping, or celebrating over this festive period, the Bee Network is right on your doorstep, helping to make public transport and active travel affordable and accessible to everyone in Greater Manchester.
“With the roads in and around Manchester expected to be very busy, choosing sustainable public transport and active travel is the way to go, and with a host of discounts, giveaways and competitions on offer alongside great value tickets, there’s never been a better time to Get on Board.”
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