The Friday Blog | Why Greater Manchester's Companion Pass Campaign Could Become a National Model for Inclusive Transport

Accessible transport is often discussed in terms of ramps, lifts, tactile paving and step-free stations. These physical improvements are essential, but for many disabled people they represent only part of the challenge.

True accessibility is about more than infrastructure. It is about ensuring that people can travel confidently, independently and safely within their communities. For thousands of disabled people, that often means travelling with a carer, support worker, friend or family member who helps them navigate the transport network and wider world.

Now a campaign in Greater Manchester is seeking to address what many disability advocates describe as one of the remaining barriers to truly inclusive public transport: the cost and accessibility of companion travel.

Campaign group All Hours All Voices is calling for the introduction of a new companion pass system that would allow disabled people to travel with a chosen companion free of charge across the Bee Network. Supporters believe the proposal could help remove barriers to employment, healthcare, education and social participation while establishing a new benchmark for disability inclusion across the UK.

Building on Previous Success

The campaign comes at a time when Greater Manchester has already made significant progress in improving transport accessibility.

Earlier this year, campaigners celebrated a major victory when restrictions on concessionary bus passes were removed. Previously, disabled pass holders could not travel free before 9:30am, creating barriers for those needing to attend work, medical appointments or educational commitments.

Transport for Greater Manchester responded by lifting those restrictions, allowing disabled passengers to travel free throughout the day.

For campaigners, however, that achievement was only one step towards a more inclusive transport system.

The next challenge focuses on the practical realities faced by many disabled passengers who require support when travelling.

The Hidden Cost of Accessibility

For many disabled people, public transport journeys involve additional costs that non-disabled passengers rarely need to consider.

A person may require a support worker to assist with boarding a bus, navigating a railway station or managing sensory challenges during travel. Others may need a family member or friend to accompany them because of cognitive, physical or mental health conditions.

While the disabled passenger may already qualify for free or discounted travel, their companion often has to pay the full fare.

Campaigners argue that this creates an unnecessary financial burden that can discourage travel and limit participation in everyday activities.

The issue becomes particularly significant for people who rely on support regularly. Multiple journeys each week can create substantial additional costs for families, carers and support networks.

Advocates believe that introducing a companion pass would help address this inequality.

A Different Approach to Companion Travel

What makes the Greater Manchester proposal distinctive is its focus on flexibility and personal choice.

Rather than issuing a separate pass to a designated carer, campaigners want the companion entitlement linked directly to the disabled person's travel pass.

This would allow individuals to decide who travels with them on any particular journey.

Supporters say this reflects the reality of modern care arrangements, where disabled people may receive support from different individuals depending on circumstances.

Some may travel with a professional personal assistant one day, a family member the next and a friend at the weekend.

Campaigners argue that a rigid system tied to one named companion would fail to reflect how support is actually delivered.

Joe Troop, from the All Hours All Voices campaign group, believes Greater Manchester has the opportunity to lead the way nationally.

"We believe Greater Manchester has an opportunity to set a gold standard for what a companion pass can look like."

He continued:

"We are calling for a pass that operates as a simple plus-one arrangement, allowing the holder to choose their own companion."

Moving Away From Benefit-Based Eligibility

One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is the campaign's opposition to linking eligibility to receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Currently, many concessionary travel schemes across the country use disability benefit entitlement as evidence when assessing eligibility.

Campaigners argue that this approach excludes many people who have genuine support needs but have been unable to secure benefits through what they describe as a complex and stressful assessment process.

Joe Troop believes eligibility should instead be based on an individual's need for assistance while travelling.

"Crucially, we are calling for eligibility to be based on self-identification of need, not on receipt of benefits such as PIP, which involves a complex and often distressing application process."

This approach reflects wider concerns among disability organisations regarding the suitability of benefits assessments as a measure of accessibility needs.

Supporters argue that transport inclusion should focus on removing barriers rather than creating additional administrative hurdles.

Transport Justice and Disability Rights

For many advocates, the campaign is about more than free travel.

It is part of a broader conversation about disability rights and social inclusion.

Rick Burgess, from the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, describes companion passes as a natural progression in creating a fairer transport system.

"The next step is to get companion passes added to the disabled person's bus pass."

He believes the proposed scheme would provide disabled people with greater control over their travel arrangements while recognising the practical support many require.

According to Burgess, the ability to choose who accompanies them is essential.

"The reason for that is so that the disabled person has the power to decide who is their assistant or carer."

This emphasis on autonomy is a recurring theme within the campaign.

Supporters argue that accessible transport should empower disabled people rather than create dependency on systems controlled by others.

Learning from Other Sectors

Campaigners point out that companion schemes are already widely accepted in many other parts of society.

Cinemas, theatres, sporting venues and cultural attractions frequently offer free companion tickets for disabled visitors.

The principle is straightforward: if someone requires assistance to access a service, the person providing that assistance should not face an additional financial barrier.

Transport, they argue, should operate according to the same logic.

"If you go to cinemas and a lot of theatres they usually operate a free plus one entry for disabled people," Burgess explained. "So it's not uncommon in that respect."

Applying similar principles to public transport could help create consistency across different aspects of daily life.

The Importance of Choice

One of the strongest arguments put forward by campaigners centres on flexibility.

Many disabled people rely on multiple carers or support workers rather than a single individual.

Others may receive support from family members, friends or agency staff depending on availability.

A fixed companion pass could create complications and reduce independence.

Campaigners believe a transferable plus-one model would better reflect real-world needs.

It would also reduce the risk of misuse while ensuring disabled people retain control over who supports them.

Burgess argues that keeping decision-making power with the disabled person is essential.

"It's all about keeping the power with the disabled person and not giving it to care agencies or family or friends."

This principle aligns closely with modern approaches to disability rights, which emphasise independence, choice and control.

Beyond Accessibility Infrastructure

The campaign also highlights a broader shift in how accessibility is understood.

Historically, accessibility discussions have often focused on physical infrastructure.

While lifts, ramps and step-free access remain crucial, campaigners argue that social and financial barriers can be equally restrictive.

Burgess describes disability through the lens of the social model, which suggests that people are disabled not solely by their impairments but by barriers created by society.

He offered a simple example:

"The really obvious example is places that have steps. That means people with wheelchairs can't use those places but if you take away those steps, that person can then use that place."

The same principle, campaigners argue, applies to transport policy.

If the cost of travelling with a necessary companion prevents someone from accessing opportunities, then that financial barrier becomes another form of exclusion.

A Potential Blueprint for the UK

Supporters believe Greater Manchester is uniquely positioned to lead this conversation.

The city-region has already developed one of the UK's most ambitious integrated transport systems through the Bee Network, bringing together buses, trams, cycling infrastructure and rail ambitions under a unified vision.

Campaigners argue that introducing a truly flexible companion pass would reinforce Greater Manchester's reputation as a leader in transport innovation and accessibility.

It could also provide a model that other regions could replicate.

Joe Troop believes the city-region has an opportunity to influence national thinking.

"Greater Manchester has already shown what is possible. Now it has the chance to set an example for the rest of the country on what a truly inclusive companion pass can look like."

The Conversation Continues

While no formal decision has yet been made, Transport for Greater Manchester has acknowledged the importance of the discussion.

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said:

"We are committed to delivering a public transport network that is inclusive and accessible for all."

She added:

"Carers play a vital and valued role and we continue to explore options around introducing companion passes on the Bee Network."

That commitment suggests the conversation is moving beyond campaign circles and into mainstream transport policy discussions.

Towards a More Inclusive Future

As public transport authorities across the UK seek to increase ridership, reduce car dependency and create more inclusive communities, accessibility will become an increasingly important measure of success.

The companion pass campaign highlights an important reality: inclusion is not achieved solely through infrastructure investment. It also requires policies that recognise how people actually use transport networks in their daily lives.

For disabled people who rely on support when travelling, the ability to bring a companion without additional cost could unlock greater access to employment, education, healthcare and community life.

Ultimately, campaigners argue that the proposal is not about providing special treatment. It is about ensuring that disabled people can participate fully in society on equal terms.

As Burgess puts it:

"This is making an adjustment to the system to remove barriers for disabled people and that is really all that we want to do. We just want to remove barriers for people."

If adopted, Greater Manchester's companion pass proposal could become far more than a local transport initiative. It could represent a significant step towards a more inclusive and accessible future for public transport across Britain.