Young people aged 16-18 can enjoy free bus travel across the East Midlands this month thanks to the region’s mayor.
The Government’s Summer Bus Fare Offer gives under-16s free local bus travel in England this month. The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward has extended that offer by funding free travel for 16 to 18-year-olds on participating services across the region.
The move is designed to ease pressure on household budgets during the school holidays and help young people get to work, training, college open days, social activities and days out.
Mayor Claire said: “The summer holidays should be a time when young people can make the most of the opportunities around them. Extending free bus travel to 16- to 18-year-olds is a simple way of giving families some extra support and helping young people stay connected.
“Whether it’s getting to a summer job, visiting friends, taking part in sport or youth activities, affordable transport makes a real difference. For many families, this will mean one less expense to worry about during August.
“I want young people across the East Midlands to feel able to get around and enjoy their summer. This is about giving them more freedom, supporting families with costs, and making public transport easier to use.”
The regional extension sits alongside the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which includes free bus travel for under-16s on most local buses in England until the end of August.
The scheme was officially launched in Nottingham today, when Mayor Claire boarded a bus in Sneinton Market Square with young people benefiting from the offer, including members of the Basford-based community youth group The Pythian Club.
David Astill, managing director of Nottingham City Transport, which supplied the bus for today’s launch, said: “NCT is pleased to be participating in this scheme. Buses are Nottingham’s most popular form of public transport, and we hope that by offering free travel to all under 18s, we are giving young people the opportunity to use their local bus service, and hopefully develop a habit that will stay with them into adulthood.”
Some 20 operators have signed up to the scheme, alongside Nottsbus on Demand, the pre-booked minibus service, demonstrating the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s (EMCCA’s) commitment to working in partnership with commercial bus operators in the region.
Children aged five to 15 can travel free on participating local bus services during August by simply hopping on board. Children under five continue to travel free as usual. Young people aged 16 to 18 will need approved proof of age, which can be obtained through participating bus operators.
The bus travel offer also sits alongside wider national summer transport savings, including discounted rail fares from publicly owned train operators.
The announcement comes shortly after the Government confirmed that single bus fares in England outside London will be capped at £2 from January 2027, supporting wider efforts to make bus travel more affordable and help people access work, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities.