Free child bus fares saved families money on millions of journeys
25 September 2026
Commenting on the success of the summer savings scheme, which enabled more than 14 million free bus journeys for children, Michael Solomon Williams of Campaign for Better Transport said:
“As well as saving families money on millions of journeys, this initiative encouraged people to give the bus a try, inspiring a new generation of bus users. It’s great to see brilliant, efficient, sustainable buses being given such a boost. But even with free fares, access to buses is not equal. One in seven people live in places without a decent bus service. The Government needs to do more to reconnect these transport deserts.”
ENDS
For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
New Government figures show that over 14.5 million children used the bus for free this summer as part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme. One bus service in the North East recorded 710% more child passengers compared to the previous summer.
Campaign for Better Transport, in partnership with Podaris, collected data on household access to bus stops and the frequency of services for every local authority ward in England. It found that one in seven (15 per cent) people in England live in places that do not have a ‘decent’ bus service. This was defined as the lowest level of provision that could reasonably be considered acceptable in a given context: High density areas, >95% of people live within a 5 min walk of a bus stop and >75% of people have access to at least 300 trips/week; mid density areas, >90% of people live within a 10 min walk of a bus stop and >50% of people have access to at least 150 trips/week; low density areas, >50% of people live within a 10 min walk of a bus stop and >40% of people have access to at least 50 trips/week.
An additional £300 million a year (the same as 0.15% of the NHS budget) would ensure every community in England had a decent level of bus service.
Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high-quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life, reduces inequality, and supports a vibrant, productive and decarbonised economy. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
