Children aged five to 15 across the West of England will be able to enjoy free bus travel throughout the summer holidays, in a move announced by the region’s new mayor aimed at supporting families and promoting environmentally friendly transport.
The initiative, unveiled by Mayor of the West of England Helen Godwin at Hengrove Play Park in south Bristol on Monday, is set to run from 19 July to 5 September and could benefit around 150,000 young people living in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire.
Importantly, no registration or bus pass will be required, meaning children can simply hop aboard any participating bus without hassle. The scheme will apply to all registered commercial and supported services, excluding only a few specific routes such as those serving airports.
Speaking at the launch event, Ms Godwin, who was elected last month, said: “This is about making summer more affordable for families while encouraging greener ways of getting about. With free travel for 150,000 kids, local families will more easily have busloads of fun during the school holidays.”
She continued, “We want to inspire the next generation of bus passengers. This scheme isn’t just about saving money – it’s about building a better travel culture that’s sustainable, inclusive, and convenient for everyone.”
The announcement was made in the company of pupils from Perry Court E-ACT Academy, as well as local councillors and representatives from major bus operators including First Bus, Stagecoach, and the Bath Bus Company.
The scheme is part of a wider regional push to rejuvenate public transport and reduce traffic congestion. It is subject to final approvals, but funding has already been earmarked from the £13.5 million Bus Service Improvement Grant allocated to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority by the Department for Transport.
Children under five already enjoy free travel on most services in the region, while current fares for children aged five to 15 are capped at £1 per journey. The new summer scheme removes that cost altogether during the busiest family travel period of the year.
Parents across the region have welcomed the move. Sarah Thompson, a mother of two from Keynsham, said: “This will make such a difference. Summer holidays can get expensive fast – even small outings add up. Free bus travel means we can do more without worrying about the fare.”
Local leaders also praised the decision. Councillor Dave Wilcox of North Somerset Council said: “This is a brilliant example of practical policy in action. Not only does it support families financially, but it also encourages more children to use public transport and get familiar with their local area.”
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Bus operators have voiced support too, noting that schemes like this can increase ridership and improve public perception of services. Martin Jones from First Bus said, “It’s great to see such a positive initiative coming forward. We hope this brings more families on board and gets more people thinking about buses as a real option for daily travel.”
Environmental campaigners have highlighted the potential green benefits as well. A representative from Transport Action West said, “Encouraging early use of public transport helps normalise it and shift behaviours away from car dependency, which is vital in the fight against climate change.”
The mayor’s office has stated it will monitor uptake closely and explore the feasibility of extending similar schemes in the future.
For now, families across the West of England can start planning their summer knowing the journey is one less thing to worry about. As Ms Godwin put it, “Whether it’s a day at the park, a museum trip, or visiting friends – this summer, the bus is on us.”
