Children under the age of 16 will have the opportunity to travel for free on buses in the west of England during the school summer holidays, benefiting approximately 150,000 young individuals. This initiative, undertaken by the West of England combined authority (Weca), which encompasses Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire, as well as North Somerset, allows children aged between five and 15 to travel without any need for a bus pass or registration.
The primary goal behind this move is to alleviate the cost of living pressures while simultaneously encouraging the use of public transport. It marks the first instance in England outside London where children under the age of 16 can travel for free.
Helen Godwin, the recently elected Labour mayor for the West of England, announced the scheme at a play park in south Bristol, highlighting how the offer aims to reduce financial burdens on families struggling with the rising cost of living. Godwin stated that it is essential to support people in saving money and promoting greener travel options, emphasizing that this scheme will enable 150,000 children to have enjoyable experiences during the school holidays.
The announcement involved major bus companies such as Bath Bus Company, First Bus, and Stagecoach, and featured the rollout of numerous zero-emission electric buses in the region over the coming months and years.
Raya, the head girl at Perry Court E-Act academy in Hengrove, Bristol, expressed her excitement about the possibility of meeting friends more often and accessing town for school supplies. Cyrus, the head boy at the school, also emphasized the financial relief this will provide for families with multiple siblings.
However, it was highlighted that the West of England received £752m in transport funding, which critics argued was less than what other authorities, including the Tees Valley authority area, had received. Nevertheless, the free bus travel will be funded through £13.5m of bus grant funding secured from the Department for Transport by Weca, separate from last week’s cash injection announced by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves.
The free travel offer is scheduled to commence on July 19 and will run until September 5 across the West of England and North Somerset, which is hoping to become a part of the combined authority.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/10/children-free-bus-travel-west-england-summer-holidays
