A FREE BUS PASS SCHEME FOR 16-18 YEAR OLD'S LAUNCHES TODAY

A new bus pass has been launched to give 16-18 year olds in Greater Manchester the freedom to travel, work, learn, train and play. Designed by the Youth Combined Authority (YCA), The newly named our Pass aims to give young people free bus travel across the city-region from September. It is expected to save youths and their families up to £500 a year on travel costs.

The benefits don't just stop there though as during the course of the two-year pilot, those eligible for the card will also gain access to tickets for sports, music and cultural events, as well as leisure attractions.

Andy Burnham said,

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"I hope that Our Pass will change the lives of young people across Greater Manchester. For too long they have been Westminster's target for cuts and negative publicity. In Greater Manchester we are using devolution to make young people our priority for investment.

"Our Pass is designed to send everyone growing up here a simple message - we believe in you and want you to have high ambitions for where you can go and what you can achieve. This amazing place is yours to explore, to shape and to build for the future."

The 2 year pilot programme will be part sponsored by JD Sports with funding also being raised by a council tax increase across Greater Manchester.

However, the choice of sponsor has not gone down too well with some as they have criticised the choice after an undercover investigation by Channel 4 at the JD Sports' Kingsway distribution centre near Rochdale, exposed what members of Andy's own Labour party referred too as Appalling Conditions with some calling the buildings 'Satanic Mills'.

Applications for Our Pass - which includes a one-off administration fee of £10 - are available from Monday at the website ourpass.co.uk