Starting this month, children across England can enjoy a month of complimentary bus travel. The Department for Transport (DfT) announced that most under-16s will not have to pay for local bus rides in August. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens on families during the summer break.
Under the Government’s Great British Summer Savings program, VAT reductions apply to various items catering to children, including meals at restaurants, cinema tickets, and visits to theme parks and adventure centers. The DfT has highlighted popular destinations accessible via free bus travel for children, such as York Dungeon, Windsor Castle, and the National Space Centre in Leicester.
Typically, bus fares for children aged five to 15 range from £1 to £2, while those under 5 travel for free. Recently, the Government revealed plans to reinstate a £2 fare cap for all bus passengers starting next year, down from the current cap of £3.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed, “We’re providing families with relief from the financial pressures. By offering free bus travel for children aged five to 15 and discounts on kids’ meals, cinema tickets, and theme park visits, we’re enabling families to maximize their time together during the school holidays. The £2 bus fare cap will not only reduce costs this summer but also facilitate affordable transportation for all passengers.”