The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that the free bus travel scheme for children will end on August 31, 2026. The scheme, introduced under former Chancellor Rachel Reeves before Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, provided free bus travel for children throughout August as part of a summer savings initiative.
Scheme details and eligibility
Under the scheme, every child aged five to 15 in England could travel free on participating local buses throughout August, with unlimited journeys, no registration required, and at no cost to families. The initiative was part of a broader package called 'Great British Summer Savings'.
The confirmation came in response to a parliamentary question from Independent MP James McMurdock, who asked about the criteria for extending the scheme beyond August 2026. Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, replied: “The free bus travel scheme for children is a time-limited measure running from 1 August to 31 August 2026.”
School travel rights remain
In a separate response, Paul Waugh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education, clarified existing statutory rights for school travel. He stated: “Children aged 5 to 16 are eligible for free travel if they attend their nearest suitable school and cannot walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or route safety.”
Statutory walking distances are set at 2 miles for children under 8 and 3 miles for those aged 8 and over. Extended rights apply to children eligible for free school meals, with 11 to 16 year-olds able to receive free travel to one of their three nearest schools between 2 to 6 miles from home, or to a school 2 to 15 miles away chosen on grounds of religion or belief. For these pupils, the statutory walking distance is set at 2 miles for those aged 8 and over but under 11.
Government's transport measures
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted the scheme's impact, saying: "Free bus travel for every child in August means parents can plan days out, visit loved ones and make the most of the holidays without the added financial pressure." She added: "We've already seen what’s possible - in the West of England, the Mayor’s free travel scheme is making a real difference, particularly for young people in the most deprived communities. That’s exactly the kind of impact we want to deliver for families right across England this summer."
Alexander also noted the government's broader transport efforts, including the £3 bus fare cap, the landmark Bus Services Act, a £3 billion investment in local services, and frozen rail fares for the first time in 30 years. The free bus travel scheme ends on August 31, and no extension has been announced.
