The Green Party is poised to unveil a major new policy proposal this Saturday, calling for free bus travel to be extended to everyone under the age of 22 across England. This bold move directly challenges the Labour government, which rejected a similar scheme last autumn on the grounds of cost.
A Push for Access and Opportunity
Party leader Zack Polanski is expected to make the announcement during a visit to Sheffield. He will argue that providing free bus passes for young people is essential to improving their access to employment, education, and training, particularly for those living in rural areas where transport options are limited.
"Young people are increasingly shut out of employment and training by the cost-of-living crisis, which often hits the youngest the hardest," Polanski stated. The policy forms a key part of the Greens' mission to "make hope normal again."
Economic Benefits vs. Government Rejection
The Greens contend that the policy would be "self-financing", a stark contrast to the Labour government's assessment. In October, Labour performed a U-turn on a free trial for young adults, concluding it was simply "unaffordable" with no available funds.
This rejection came after the Commons Transport Committee's report in August recommended the scheme. The Green Party points to research by KPMG to support its economic case. The analysis estimated that bus passengers spend £39.1 billion annually at local businesses, and over 2.2 million commuters use buses to get to work, generating £72 billion each year in collective income.
Furthermore, the report suggested that every £1 invested in bus services yields an economic benefit of between £4.55 and £5.
Broader Reforms and National Context
In addition to free travel for under-22s, the Green Party is promising to reform passes for disabled and elderly people. They plan to remove time restrictions on disabled persons' bus passes, making them valid 24 hours a day, and guarantee free travel for the elderly with similarly extended hours.
The policy landscape varies across the UK. Since January 2022, everyone in Scotland aged between five and 22 has been entitled to free bus travel. In London, under-18s travel free on buses, with discounted rates for some 18-25 year olds. Individual bus companies also offer youth discounts elsewhere.
The push comes amid a concerning backdrop for bus services in England, where the number of journeys has fallen in recent years while fares have risen faster than inflation. Experts informed the Transport Committee that the bus sector's contribution to the economy declined by around £8.9 billion between 2011 and 2023.
Responding to the government's earlier rejection, Transport Committee chair and Labour MP Ruth Cadbury accused the Department for Transport of "lacking in ambition," warning that poor connectivity leaves young people unable to access jobs and education, and isolates older and disabled citizens.
Polanski confirmed that Green councillors elected in May would work to implement the scheme locally, while applying "political pressure at a national level" to realise the committee's recommendation.
