From August 1, children in England will benefit from unlimited free travel on participating local buses for an entire month. The 'fare-free scheme' announced by the government on Thursday, May 21, is part of a wider £100 million effort to relieve some of the ongoing cost-of-living pressures crippling families in the UK.
Who Is Eligible?
Children aged five to 15 will be eligible for the month-long offer, with no registration required. The scheme mirrors one already in place across the West of England. The Kids Go Free initiative allows children and young people to travel for free on buses in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire during school holidays — including Christmas and Easter. According to Helen Godwin, the Labour Mayor of the West of England, the Kids Go Free programme has provided 1.4 million free journeys so far.
How Much Can Families Save?
The government has estimated that the free bus scheme could save a family with two children who make a weekly return trip at £1.50 per fare approximately £27. Officials have also confirmed that there will be no cap on how many trips a child can take. Sharing the news on TikTok, Chancellor Rachel Reeves told audiences that she was 'stepping in to make sure kids can still experience the little joys this summer.'
Current Free Travel Options
Currently, children under five and adults over the state pensions age (which is currently 66) can travel on local buses for free. While fare prices vary across the country, the average bus fare in England is typically capped at £3. Outside of London, most single tickets tend to cost between £1.50 and £2.
Government Support and Reactions
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has deemed the initiative vital to relieve families of 'added financial pressure,' stating 'free bus travel for every child in August means parents can plan days out, visit loved ones and make the most of the holidays.' There's currently no official list on which 'participating local buses' have committed to the scheme. Labour's 'Great British Summer Savings' project will also include suspended tariffs on popular supermarket products. The full list is due to be published next week, however, according to a recent Government press release, items 'including biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts' will be targeted.
Other Cost-of-Living Measures
Ministers are pushing for supermarkets to cut costs on essentials such as eggs, bread, and milk — a suggestion that was ill-received by Marks & Spencer’s chief executive, Stuart Machin. According to the BBC, the exec called the idea 'completely preposterous', stating: 'My advice is that the government should reduce some of the tax and regulatory burden and free us up in a very competitive market.' The government also announced on Wednesday, May 20 that they would be extending the current freeze on fuel duty. The 5p cut, which was due to be phased out in September, will now run until the end of the year.
TFL Launches New 'Weekend Hopper' Fare This Summer
Millions of Londoners are set to benefit from cheaper bus journeys this summer after TFL announced it would be extending the popular 'Hopper' fare to include weekends. The Hopper fare currently allows passengers to take as many trips as they like on London buses and trams within an hour for the price of a single ticket (£1.75). However, starting on July 25, customers will now be able to pay a single fare ticket and enjoy unlimited travel all weekend. Lasting until August 31, these are the weekends you’re going to want to mark in your calendar: August 1-2, August 8-9, August 15-16, August 22-23, August 29-30.
