The scheme enables you to apply for a tram or train annual season ticket, and the University will purchase it on your behalf. You then repay the cost of the ticket by monthly instalments directly from your salary. Repayments for trains are made over 12 months.

Local buses in Greater Manchester are now under the Bee Network. Season tickets can only be purchased directly from Bee Network via their app, website or a ticket office. These are not currently available as a season ticket loan from the University. Employees also have the option to become a member of a credit union, apply for a loan and then everything is managed via the credit union and TfGM.

You must be a salaried member of the University and be regularly paid on a monthly basis through the payroll system.  Season tickets under this scheme must be for one year.  The maximum value of the loan available is £3,500 or 5% of gross salary (whatever is greatest) subject to affordability checks. 

Buses in Greater Manchester are now a part of the Bee Network

Bee Network buses unfortunately do not offer a corporate rate but there are a number of ticket options available where you can save money on your travel. These must be purchased directly from Bee Network via their app, website or a ticket office. These are not currently available as a season ticket loan from the University.

Employees also have the option to become a member of a credit union where you can pay via weekly or monthly payments over the 12-month term. Purchasing the ticket through a credit union is at no extra cost to you compared to paying upfront

Update from Stagecoach regarding refunds

From the 5^th of January 2025, Stagecoach transitioned into the Bee Network as a whole and the annual Megarider will no longer be available. 

Any refund requests should be directed to: manchester.sales@stagecoachbus.com

You will need to apply for your Northern Rail ticket and complete the application for the University's season ticket loan scheme.

1. Please read the Terms and Conditions of the University's Season Ticket Loans Scheme
2. Complete the Northern Rail season ticket online application
3. Repayments for season tickets for trains are taken over 12 months.

Other train providers

If you need a season ticket for other rail services in our region, please contact people.reward@manchester.ac.uk and we will try to help. 

Summary of scheme

Please read this online guide for general information on the scheme and prices.

Detailed guide for employees who wish to apply

1. The employee will need to follow the steps outlined in the 'how to apply' section of this guide, and set up their own account here.
   
2. The employee will then receive an email and must follow the instructions to validate their account; 
3. The corporate application form will need to be filled out along with the Season Ticket Loan Application. The declaration section will then be signed by P&OD and scanned to your email.
4. The relevant paperwork will then be sent to the employee in regards to monthly deductions; this will need to be signed and dated.
5. The employee uploads the completed corporate application form and their photo to the website which orders the corporate Bee Card.
6. The Bee Card will be posted to the individual's home address. Once the employee receives their corporate Bee Card in the post, the smart ticket can be collected from the smart readers situated at a Metrolink stop.
7. The smart card must be presented to the smart reader to ‘touch in’ and ‘touch out’ for each journey made.

Please contact people.reward@manchester.ac.uk