Travel for free
Travel for free
Are you a school leaver heading to college in September 2025? Don’t let travel be a barrier to your success.
We are here to help you get to any of our campuses using the variety of transport means available, whether that’s by bus if you’re eligible for Our Pass or via our travel support package TMC Go. So whether you’re travelling to college or need to get to your work placement, we will help to get you there for free, anytime, seven days a week.*
*Terms, conditions and eligibility apply.
Travel Support Checker
Answer a few questions to see what support you may be eligible for before you apply.
Our Pass
If you’re aged 16 or 17 on 31st August 2025 and live in Greater Manchester then you will be eligible for Our Pass.
Our Pass is a membership scheme for young people who live in Greater Manchester and supports school leavers and care givers. Depending on age and eligibility, members can enjoy free bus travel and exclusive offers until the end of August after they turn 18. or 21 for care leavers.
If you're aged 18-21, live in Greater Manchester and were previously in the care system (e.g. foster care or residential care), you may qualify for free travel on buses in Greater Manchester and be able to benefire from membership of Our Pass Exclusives. Find out more here.
Those who are eligible have the chance to become a member – and potentially enjoy two things:
- Free bus travel across Greater Manchester. For a one-off £10 fee, members can travel on most local buses, any day of the week, for free. Members can also get half-price off-peak 1 day and weekend travelcards on Metrolink.
- Membership unlocks exclusive offers and experiences: discounts, special offers, free tickets, swimming and leisure passes, merchandise, taster sessions and much more.
TMC Go
For students aged 16-18 who are not eligible for Our Pass and/or who live outside the Greater Manchester travel area there is support available through TMC Go.
If you're not eligible for Our Pass, The Manchester College will give you the same opportunities with TMC Go. TMC Go will operate on your college ID badge as a travel pass on bus transport only.
TMC Go is there to support students with a range of travel solutions, therefore if journey by bus isn't feasible you can put an appeal in to have your support adjusted to tram or train. This is assessed on an individual case by case basis.
Our TMC Go offer applies to 2025/26 only and is subject to available funds, terms, conditions and eligibility.
Are you eligible for TMC Go?
If you’re aged 16 or 17 and live outside of Greater Manchester or aged 18 prior to 31st August 2025 then you won’t be eligible for Our Pass, however you can apply to get travel support through TMC Go if you meet our criteria*.
- Your household income is less than £40,000 per year
- You are enrolled at The Manchester College
Additionally, if you are eligible for Our Pass but are struggling to get here by bus or it takes too long we will look at alternative transport methods if you meet our criteria.
*Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.
Struggling to travel by bus?
If you’re aged 16-18 and your journey to college by bus just isn’t feasible and/or you plan to travel by tram or train but are struggling to afford it, then we could help fund some or all of your travel to campus via train or tram with TMC Go.*
If eligible for enhanced support we will assess the best mode of transport and individual circumstances. If this includes tram or train we may pay up to £60 into a UK bank account. You may be expected to provide proof that a ticket has been purchased.
*Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.
Aged 19+?
Depending on your personal circumstances and income you may be eligible for travel support through our Access to Industry Award for adults, including our TMC Go travel award.
TMC Go will not only help you with getting to and from college, it can also provide you with a way to explore all the great places in Greater Manchester. We’ve been working with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to incorporate your bus pass with your College ID and if eligible, you will be able to load a travel pass onto it every 28 days via a smartphone on campus.
How do I get travel support?
Accepted an offer with us?
If you are eligible you can apply for Our Pass in Spring 2025 so this will be ready when you enrol.
If you have any challenges in accessing your studies ia us with Our Pass, please let us know as we may be able to support alternative modes of transport.
If you aren’t eligible for Our Pass and would like to apply for travel support via TMC Go then please email bursaryteam@tmc.ac.uk to begin your application or to have an interim assessment to understand if you are eligible. Your application will be completed once you enrol with us.
Not received / accepted an offer from us?
You can apply for TMC Go if and when you enrol, however this will take at least 24 hours to process and no travel will be paid for until the travel award has been awarded.
Terms and conditions apply.
How to travel around Manchester
As well as TMC Go and Our Pass there are several other city-wide initiatives to help students get across Manchester using public transport at either a discounted price or for free.
- Free buses run around the city every 10-15 minutes on weekdays and every 15-20 minutes on weekends. Explore free bus routes.
- Choosing a combined Train and Tram Ticket allows you to travel free on Metrolink trams in Zone 1 if you have bought a rail ticket for travel from any Greater Manchester station to a city zone station -just request a Metrolink add-on free of charge when purchasing your rail ticket. Find out more.
- Save 1/3 on rail tickets when you purchase a yearly railcard (£30 for a year)
- Student Railcard (16-25)
- Explore all railcards including those for Veterans and Disabled Persons
For more information about how to get to college, visit the Bee Network colleges webpage to find out everything you need to know about walking, cycling, bus and tram travel.
Useful travel links
Helpful resources
Make an enquiry
Whether you’d like to know more about available travel options, a specific course, ask a question about applying, or find out about the college, we’re here to help! Make an enquiry below and we'll let you know when applications for TMC Go are open.
Click here to view our privacy notice and find out more about how we will use the information you have provided when applying for a course at The Manchester College.