GREATER Manchester transport bosses have praised plans to take equality aboard the buses.

They have welcomed the news that the Government has introduced a Bill to the House of Lords which will allow men to receive a travel concession when they reach the age of 60, the same as women.

Under current legislation, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority has only been able to grant concessions on the grounds of age to women above the age of 60 and men above the age of 65.

Councillor Andrew Fender, chairman of the authority's policy committee, said: "The introduction of this Bill is very good news for Greater Manchester's older male residents.

"When it is enacted, they will be entitled to travel on Greater Manchester's bus network from the age of 60 for a flat fare of 40p or half the usual fare, whichever is cheaper for the journey they are making."

He added: "While we wholeheartedly welcome the equalisation of the travel concessionary age it will, of course, incur an extra expense for the authority's travel budget.

"The authority is, therefore, very pleased that the Government will be taking this into account in its Local Government Finance Statement, which we expect to cover the entire cost of the scheme."