From the Metro Mayor: During previous school holidays, Kids Go Free has helped more children and young people travel by bus, with the biggest increases seen in lower-income communities. The data shows that journeys rose by an average of 98% in areas where family incomes are among the lowest 10% nationally, while areas within the lowest 30% income bracket saw an 89% increase during the scheme last summer.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England said:
“I am so excited that Kids Go Free is back again! We have guaranteed the funding for the next three years so children and young people in our part of the world can hop on the bus for free every Summer, Christmas and Easter school holidays until at least 2029.
“We know what a massive impact this has had for families in the West, helping kids explore the best of the West and putting money back in parents’ pockets. I am thrilled that the government has seen how successful our scheme has been, and that Kids Go Free is going national for August. This will give West Country families the chance to explore even further.”
Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander said:
“Great British Summer Savings means more people can be excited about getting out and about this summer, whether it’s seeing the Roman Baths, learning something new at the Science Museum, or falling asleep on the bus ride home after a day riding rollercoasters at Alton Towers.
“I know that the cost of living is a concern for households across the UK, which is why we’re cutting the cost of the day-to-day, with free bus travel for children this summer and the £3 bus fare cap helping more families make the most of the small plans that make life enjoyable.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West of England; Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said in a joint statement:
“We know that Kids Go Free is helping families save money, and hope to see more children and young people exploring our local high streets and attractions over the school holidays too. There is so much to explore in the West, including by using the new and improved bus services starting on 26 July, and we want as many people to benefit from that as possible.”
The free fares are funded using some of the Bus Grant funding secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and North Somerset Council from the Department for Transport.
Outside of the offer period, child fares in the West remain among the cheapest in country, with the £1 cap recently frozen until 2029. Children under five years of age already travel for free on the majority of services in the West of England.
Hundreds more young people in care, and care leavers, are also set to benefit from up to ten years of free bus travel across the West of England: one of the UK’s most generous schemes, and saving them up to £10,000 each. The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has extended the scheme to include young people aged 16 and 17 who are currently in care.
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