A NEW bus pass aimed at young people will be known as Our Pass after the name was opened up to consultation.

As well as free bus travel, the card will provide direct access to a range of opportunities for young people across Greater Manchester.

Over an initial pilot of two years these opportunities will include anything from tickets for sports, music, and culture and leisure attractions; to careers events and taster days.

The Youth Combined Authority (YCA) was tasked, at the beginning of the Mayor’s term, with scoping the development of an opportunity pass across Greater Manchester. Now young people have made the pass their own.

A diverse range of youngsters from groups across Greater Manchester – including the YCA, parent organisations and various youth groups - have worked with experts from Greater Manchester’s creative and design industry to develop the new ‘Our Pass’ brand over the last few months.

Hania Sulaiman, Chair of Greater Manchester’s Youth Combined Authority, said: “We’re really excited about Our Pass in the YCA, especially as high prices on public transport have been a concern for young people across Greater Manchester for years. I’m hoping this will show that collaborating with young people when creating services to meet our needs leads to better outcomes.”

Our Pass Lead Rose Marley added: “We want Our Pass to help young people feel anything is possible, excited, believe that you can go anywhere and nothing is off limits. Young people have made the pass their own, by playing a central role in its design and deciding on the new name ready for its big launch this summer.”

Applications for Our Pass will go live on July 1, 2019. Young people, aged 16 to 18-years-old will be able to start using the card from the start of September.

A survey has been launched today asking young people what opportunities they want from the pass.

This will run until June 23, 2019.

To find out more, visit: www.gmconsult.org.