Free bus travel for under 16s in England will end on August 31, affecting more than 14 million young people. The scheme, which began on August 1, allowed children to travel on most local bus services without charge throughout August.
Details of the Scheme
The initiative was part of the Great British Summer Savings scheme, which also included VAT cuts on activities such as children's meals, theatre and cinema tickets, theme parks, and adventure centres. Participating bus operators included Stagecoach, First Bus, Arriva, Go-Ahead, and National Express.
Impact on Families
Introduced by Rachel Reeves to help parents with cost of living pressures during school holidays, the scheme saved families from paying standard child fares, which typically cost up to £2. Children under five already travel free year-round.
