It’s Time – to get back to what you love and support Greater Manchester

With thousands of people set to return to the workplace and education after the summer holidays, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is urging people to get behind the reopening of the region, get back to doing the things they love and think about their travel plans as part of a new campaign.

The Mayor has also urged people to keep on following safety guidance when using public transport to help keep each other safe while travelling.

The It’s Time campaign aims to support businesses across Greater Manchester, get people returning to work and school to consider their travel options and encourage more people to use public transport if possible and cycle or walk when they can.

It also highlights the continuing safety activity being delivered by TfGM and other Transport operators.

Mr Burnham said: “The last 18 months have been tough.

"Many people have missed seeing their loved ones, or meeting friends, while businesses have had to reduce their hours, introduce strict health measures or close for long periods of time – putting huge strain on employers and employees alike.

“Public transport has run throughout the pandemic keeping essential workers moving and it remains clean, safe and reliable.

"Over the course of the pandemic we have stepped up cleaning on services, placed more staff out on the network to assist passengers and I have also asked that face coverings remain mandatory on Metrolink and in bus stations and Interchanges to help keep people safe.

“In addition, we have also just signed a major deal with LifeBuoy to ensure people have ongoing access to free hand sanitiser at more than 80 key locations across the bus and tram network.

"We want people to feel safe while using public transport, so measures like this are vitally important.

“We now need to see more people coming back on board – or trying public transport for the first time as we all come together to help support the recovery of the region.

"But I would urge passengers to also play their part and ask them to keep on being kind to one another by following the guidance to keep each other safe – including wearing face coverings on trams. 

“We also know that how and when people travel may have changed and Metrolink, along with other transport operators have introduced a range of ticketing offers to ensure people can travel flexibly and affordably.

"New products like Bee Flex Weekly – guaranteeing you will never pay more than a seven-day travel pass for your journeys – simplify fares and offer better value for money.

“I hope the continuing focus on safety and flexible ticketing will encourage more people to leave their car at home and support businesses across Greater Manchester by getting out and enjoying everything the region has to offer. “ 

The Bee Flex Weekly, is the latest flexible ticketing solution introduced by TfGM and joins the Bee Flex Daily meaning passengers simply touch in and out using their contactless card or device for every journey, passengers will never pay more than a one-day or seven-day travelcard.

It joins other products including Clipper which provides customers with ten one-day travelcards for the price of nine and Early Bird, which reduces the cost for people travelling before 7am or after 9:30am on weekdays.

To help passengers feel confident while travelling a number of additional measures remain in place, including: 

Regularly cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces across the public transport network, including rails, handles and doors

Keeping fresh air flowing on trams, buses and trains

Supporting people with hidden disabilities and giving them confidence to travel safely

Regular patrols by police and TravelSafe officers across the public transport network to promote safe travel and engage with passengers about Covid-19 guidance

Providing a range of tickets and passes to help people travel more flexibly

Please follow safe travel guidance and help to keep each other safe.   

You must wear a face covering, unless exempt if you are using the Metrolink network, bus stations or interchanges or using Ring and Ride services

You are expected to wear a face covering when using buses and trains or using taxis and private hire vehicles

Where possible open windows to maintain fresh air flow and ventilation

Clean your hands frequently by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser

Use contactless payment if you can

Services are likely to be busier - if you can, travel during quieter times

Consider walking or cycling, particularly for short trips

Please be kind and consider fellow passengers when travelling on public transport

Find all the info about Bee Weekly and Bee Daily at: www.tfgm.com/contactless and the latest travel guidance and details of what TfGM is doing to keep you safe at: www.tfgm.com/itstime

TfGM is also working with businesses to embed a safe, sustainable, and smarter way of commuting as more people return to the office.

Explore Transport for Greater Manchester’s portal to find out more about the support and resources available: https://tfgmbusinesstravel.exhibition.app/

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.