Buy your 2014 annual public transport season ticket at 2013 prices
04 Dec 2013
Beat the price rise by applying for train, tram and combination season tickets by Wednesday, 11 December 2013
If you work full-time, an annual public transport season ticket offers much better value than a shorter-term season ticket, particularly daily and weekly options. Savings vary, depending mainly on distance, but can amount to several hundred pounds.
The following example shows how, if you were to buy an annual rail season ticket between Wilmslow and Manchester, you could save more than £400 a year:
| Ticket type | Cost | Annual cost (46 working weeks) | Saving with an annual ticket |
| Annual | £1,344.00 | £1,344.00 (one annual ticket) | n/a |
| Weekly | £33.60 | £1,545.60 (46 weekly tickets) | £201.60 |
| Daily | £7.70 | £1,771.00 (230 return journeys) | £427.00 |
As well as saving money with an annual ticket, you can use it 24/7, obviously including weekends, and you'll no longer suffer the inconvenience of having to purchase tickets continually.
University annual interest-free loan scheme
Under the Staff Benefits scheme and the Sustainable Travel Plan, the University enables staff to benefit from an annual ticket by purchasing it on their behalf amd allowing them to pay back the loan, interest free, from salary over 10 months. The scheme is available for all forms of public transport, including train, bus, tram and combination passes, with some offering additional corporate discounts.
Detailed information including ticket prices, terms and conditions, and application forms are available at:
*NEW* online train ticket orders
In order to create a more convenient application system and increase administration efficiency, annual train tickets can now be ordered online at:
Please note that, if you have already applied using the paper application form, this will be processed as normal.
Beat price increases – get a ticket at the 2013 price
If you are considering purchasing or renewing an annual train*, tram or combination ticket; dating your ticket to start on or before 1 January is a sensible way of saving even more as the ticket will be at the 2013 price (for example, train fares are set to rise on 2 January by an average of 4.1%).
Please note: Train, combination (County Card) and tram (although no announcement yet) tickets are set to rise on 2nd January so the latest date a ticket can start to get this year’s price is 1 January.
*All types of annual train tickets can be purchased through the scheme, including Virgin only and the GM Railcard (£870) which is often better value than a station to station season ticket for those living within Greater Manchester (+ you can travel anywhere in GM).
Deadline for applications is Wednesday, 11 December 2013
Please can new applicants and those reapplying submit their applications by Wednesday, 11 December in order to allow for order, delivery and collection prior to the Christmas break.
Applicants without PC access
Arrangements can be made for applications by those without PC access, please contact HR Services for assistance on x54499.
Please endeavour to make this information available to those staff who do not have regular PC access.