From August 1, every child aged five to 15 in England will be eligible for free bus travel on participating local services for the entire month, with unlimited journeys and no registration required. The initiative, funded by more than £100 million from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, aims to ease cost-of-living pressures for families.
Policy Details and Implementation
The free travel scheme runs from 1 to 31 August and covers participating local bus services across England. A family with two children making a weekly return trip at a £1.50 child fare could save £27 during August. The policy was approved before Andy Burnham succeeds Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party Prime Minister on July 21, and Burnham has confirmed he will not alter the changes.
Outgoing Prime Minister Starmer stated: "We know many hard‑working families are still feeling the squeeze and too often think they have to hold back. By giving every child free bus travel throughout August and cutting tariffs on everyday food items, we’re putting money back into people’s pockets and making life that bit easier. This government is focused on practical steps that help right now — easing pressure on household budgets, supporting parents during the school holidays, and backing British businesses."
Background and Pilot Success
The national rollout follows a successful pilot program, "Kids Go Free," led by Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England. The pilot saw around 1.4 million free journeys over summer, Christmas, and Easter holidays since Godwin's election last year. Bus travel from the lowest income areas doubled year-on-year last summer, with children able to board without registration.
Godwin commented: "Kids Go Free in the West of England has seen around 1.4 million free journeys over the summer, Christmas, and Easter holidays since my election last year. It’s brilliant that, after we have invested devolved funding to make a difference that people across the West can see and feel, the government is rolling out Kids Go Free nationally this August! There’s been a huge increase in public transport use through our offer already, including children and families travelling on our new green buses. I’m so excited to see Kids Go Free return again for the school summer holidays - helping more children and young people to explore the best of what the West has to offer."
Political Context and Funding
Rachel Reeves, who is widely expected to be replaced as Chancellor by Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood, pledged over £100 million to fund the free fares scheme and continue supporting bus services. The policy is part of broader measures to address the cost of living, including tariff cuts on everyday food items. The changes have been greenlit and will proceed regardless of the leadership transition at Number 10.
