Using over 66 bus pass + rail; use during Northern's PM peak unclear?

[Howardh]

Next year, which starts next week (!) I will be entitled to my OAP's bus pass and intend to add the local rail useage for a tenner.

The rules are clear, in Greater Manchester use - on trains - is restricted to outside the morning peak. Fair enough, but Northern who run the majority of trains in the region have an afternoon peak, 4pm > 6.30pm (appx) but the Beeline website (for buses) makes no mention of that.

Am I right in thinking you CAN use your bus pass + rail during those PM peaks as it doesn't say you can't??

Travel pass for older people

If you qualify for a state pension, you could be eligible for free travel across the country as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

tfgm.com

The pass is free, and lasts for five years.

Within Greater Manchester:

• Travel for free on all buses within Greater Manchester between 9.30am and midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
• You can also choose to pay £10 to add tram and train to your pass, for a year’s unlimited off-peak travel on Metrolink and trains within Greater Manchester. You can then travel on Metrolink trams and in trains after 9.30am on Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays.
• If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.

Throughout England:

• Travel for free on all local buses between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
• If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.

 

[Watershed]

Trains aren't inherently 'peak' or 'off-peak' - it all depends on the ticket or pass you hold and the associated restrictions (if any).

Off-Peak Day Returns issued for journeys within Greater Manchester do indeed normally have an evening peak restriction. But that's not the ticket you are using if you pay for a tram and train addon, so the restrictions for such tickets don't apply to your GMPTE ENCTS pass.

The pass with addon is valid from 09:30 onwards and there is no evening peak restriction.

 

[Howardh]

Trains aren't inherently 'peak' or 'off-peak' - it all depends on the ticket or pass you hold and the associated restrictions (if any).

Off-Peak Day Returns issued for journeys within Greater Manchester do indeed normally have an evening peak restriction. But that's not the ticket you are using if you pay for a tram and train addon, so the restrictions for such tickets don't apply to your GMPTE ENCTS pass.

The pass with addon is valid from 09:30 onwards and there is no evening peak restriction.

Thanks, that's good to know, makes the pass even better value!