The Mayor of the East Midlands is to fund free bus travel for 16 to 18-year-olds across the region throughout August.
The announcement builds on the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme which provides free local bus journeys for children aged 5 to 15 in England throughout August, meaning all under 19s can enjoy free bus travel throughout the East Midlands this summer.
The move is part of the Mayor’s commitment to making transport more affordable and accessible across the region, particularly for families and young people at a time when household budgets are under pressure. It also means older teenagers can use free bus travel to reach college open days, apprenticeships, summer jobs, training opportunities and social activities, helping ensure transport costs do not get in the way of opportunity.
Mayor Claire Ward said: “Summer should be a time of opportunity and connection, not financial pressure. The national scheme is a welcome boost for families with younger children, but I was determined that our 16 to 18-year-olds would not be left behind.
“No young person should miss out on work, training, education or time with friends because they cannot afford the fare.
“By extending free travel to 16 to 18-year-olds, we are giving families real cost-of-living support and giving teenagers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire the freedom to make the most of their summer.”
Children aged five-15 will be able to travel free on participating local services during August by just hopping on board. Children under five continue to travel free as usual. Young people aged 16 to 18 will need an approved proof of age, which can be obtained through participating operators.
The bus travel offer also sits alongside wider national summer transport savings, including discounted rail fares from publicly owned train operators, giving families more ways to reduce the cost of days out this summer.
The announcement also comes shortly after the Government confirmed single bus fares in England outside London will be capped at £2 from January 2027. Together, the measures underline the Mayor’s focus on making bus travel more affordable and helping people access work, education, healthcare, leisure and other opportunities.