The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (WECA) has announced the extension of the £1 child bus fare cap through to spring 2029, a key part of its broader passenger support package aimed at saving families millions in travel costs across the region.
Since its introduction, the £1 fare cap has already helped families save approximately £1.1 million over the past year. The impact was further boosted during the summer and Christmas holidays by the Kids Go Free scheme, launched in June 2025. Notably, children from low-income areas showed a significant increase in bus journeys last summer compared to 2024, highlighting the program’s success in promoting travel accessibility.
Additional regional initiatives have contributed over £800,000 in savings since last spring, thanks to investments from the Bus Grant secured from the Department for Transport. This grant supports continuing the child fare freeze at £1, reducing fares by up to 50%. Under national regulations, child fares are typically half the adult fare, meaning children elsewhere may pay up to £1.50 on journeys capped at £3 for adults.
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WECA is also extending related benefits, including the multi-operator fare cap, free bus travel for care leavers up to age 25, the Youth Guarantee free bus pass, and the Diamond Pass, which offers free travel for pensioners and disabled passengers.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, emphasized the positive impact: “Our £1 child fare cap is making a tangible difference. By freezing fares for the next three years, local families are expected to save over £4 million by 2029, significantly easing the cost of living. These measures are part of wider efforts to reduce child poverty and support vulnerable groups.”
Looking ahead, WECA will soon invite public input on its updated Bus Plan to foster collaboration among councils, operators, and communities. The plan aims to create a dependable bus network, backed by a record £752 million government investment in regional transport secured last year.
The recently published Transport Vision underscores the commitment to reliable, affordable travel with integrated ticketing and scheduling, alongside enhancements to rail services, mass transit, active travel safety, and improved streets.
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, highlighted the broader benefits: “Affordable bus travel empowers young people to gain independence and confidence. Learning to use buses early opens up access to education, employment, and social activities, which benefits not only individuals but the wider community.”