Children and young people across the West of England have already taken more than 143,000 free bus journeys during the first week of the summer holidays, thanks to a scheme funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Initial analysis reveals a nearly 30% increase in the number of under-16s using buses compared to the same period last year.
The free bus travel offer, which began on Saturday 19 July, runs through to Sunday 5 September. It allows anyone under 16 to simply hop on board without needing a ticket, pass, or registration. The initiative aims to help families cut costs while encouraging greener travel choices across the region.
In the first week alone (19–25 July), 143,307 free journeys were recorded—an increase of around 35,000 trips compared to the average week in July 2024. That number is expected to rise as more data becomes available from remaining bus operators.
The scheme was launched earlier this month at Weston-super-Mare, where the new Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, joined council leaders and bus operators for a seaside event with pupils from Walliscote Primary School.
Mayor Godwin said, “Together, we’re building the kind of bus service local people deserve. Free travel for under-16s is helping families save money and have fun, while also encouraging greener ways to get around. This is just the beginning of a new chapter for transport in the West.”
She added that the region is seeing growing use of new electric buses and highlighted a £752 million investment secured in the recent Spending Review to improve the area’s transport system.
The free travel scheme is funded by part of the £13.5 million Bus Grant awarded by the Department for Transport. The plans were announced in June—just weeks after Mayor Godwin’s election – at a launch event at Perry Court E-ACT Academy in Hengrove.
The offer applies across the West of England and North Somerset on all registered commercial and supported bus services starting in those areas. It also accommodates different INSET days by running through early September. A list of free activities and travel planning tools can be found on Travelwest.
