Bev Craig launches Greater Manchester Mayor campaign with free bus pass plan for every 11-18 year old
Bev Craig has today launched her campaign to become the next Mayor of Greater Manchester by announcing her plan to extend the hugely successful ‘Our Pass’ scheme, giving free bus travel on the Bee Network to every 11-18 year old in the city-region.
At a launch event in Bury, Bev was joined by former GM Mayor and MP for Makerfield Andy Burnham and Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell as 200 local supporters gathered to give her their full backing.
In her speech, Bev outlined how she will extend the popular ‘Our Pass’ scheme from 16-18 year olds to all 11-18 year olds, putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families and giving all young people the chance to access study, work and everything Greater Manchester has to offer.
Speaking to the crowd, Bev said: “When Greater Manchester fought to take control of the buses… it wasn’t just about saying where a bus route goes. It was putting power and control back into the hands of local people. And we have seen what that does. We have seen that open doors and opportunities.
“And I have been talking to families that have been telling me how tight it is. I spoke to a mum who is making decisions and cutting back, not buying the stuff that she needed, not looking after herself, because she still had to pay for her kids bus fare to get them to school.
“I have spoken to young people who have said they are held back by lack of opportunity. How at the age of 15, getting around our city-region still costs too much.
“And I have spoken to 16 and 18 year olds who have seen the great benefits that Our Pass has been able to bring.
“So that’s why I am proud to announce if I was elected as Greater Manchester’s Mayor, all bus travel for 11 to 18 year olds will be free.
“This to me is the test. It is something that puts hundreds of pounds back into the pockets of ordinary people to make their life better. And it is something that opens the doors to tens and tens of thousands of young people across our city region that says this place is for you.”
Bev is determined to help everyone in Greater Manchester with “getting around and getting on in life” if she is elected Mayor.
As Leader of Manchester City Council, she worked side by side with Andy Burnham to see Greater Manchester take control of its future and start to build its own success.
Now Bev is committed to working every day to make sure everyone shares in this city-region’s achievements – making sure there’s more money in people’s pockets, pride in every town centre, a new generation of council and affordable homes and a Bee Network that works for all of us.
Speaking at the launch, Labour MP for Makerfield Andy Burnham said: “At this election that is in front of us now, what we have built together, we have to defend together. Because Greater Manchester is built on the politics of partnership, of bringing people together, the politics of unity, always understanding that together we are more than the sum of our parts.
“I have stood on many stages with Bev Craig in this country, in Greater Manchester, nationally and around the world. I have seen her incredible capability. She is the person who I think is a born leader… a born person who unites us all together. That is what she is all about. She brings people together.
“It is not all about the leader. It is all about who the next team captain is for Greater Manchester… Bev Craig.”
The election for Greater Manchester will take place on Thursday 30th July.