Care leavers to benefit from £10,000 of free bus travel across the West
Hundreds more young people in care, and care leavers, are set to benefit from up to ten years of free bus travel across the West of England: one of the UK’s most generous schemes, and saving them up to £10,000 each.
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has confirmed that its successful Care Leaver Bus Pass scheme will be extended to include young people aged 16 and 17 currently in care, helping an estimated 400 more young people across Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
After being extended last year by Mayor Helen Godwin, the scheme already provides free bus travel for care leavers from the age of 18-25 until their 26th birthday, saving young people up to £1,000 a year. Nearly 800 care leavers are already benefiting from the scheme, which has supported over 36,000 journeys in the last three months alone.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Every young person deserves the chance to take opportunities, build their independence, and look forward to the future with confidence. For young people in care and care leavers, the cost of travel can stand in their way.
“As part of our work to tackle child poverty in the West of England, we’re removing the barriers that hold young people back. Free bus travel puts money back into young people’s pockets; helps them stay connected to education, work, and support; and gives them the freedom to make the most of the opportunities our region has to offer. I’m really proud that we are now able to provide one of the most generous offers in the country.”
Jess, a 16-year-old member of Experienced Panel in Care (EPIC) in South Gloucestershire, said:
“Lowering the age makes it equal for all care leavers to not have to worry about not being able to get to places.”
Young people have described the impact that free bus travel has already had on their lives:
“I don’t have to choose between paying for food or paying for travel anymore.”
“I can go shopping on the bus now, I can’t believe how simple the process was.”
“The bus pass helped me get to college without stressing about money.”
Claire Young, MP for Thornbury and Yate, who has called for an extension, said:
“It’s brilliant news that more young people leaving care will benefit from this scheme. This was an issue raised by the young care leavers I spoke to at EPIC earlier this year. I have pushed for this to happen, and I’m delighted that the free bus passes will now be available to 16- and 17-year-olds to help them with their journey to independence.”
Vicky Hilder, Youth Participation Manager at EPIC, said:
“This is a really positive step. Our care leavers raised this with Claire when she met with them and now it has come into action, showing them that their voices do matter.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West of England; Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said in a joint statement:
“Every young person in care, and every care leaver, deserves the support they need to succeed. Access to reliable and affordable transport is an important part of that, helping young people reach education, training, employment, healthcare and the people and services that support them.
“This extension is another example of what can be achieved through partnership working across the West of England. By removing barriers to travel, we’re helping more young people gain independence, access opportunities, and take positive steps towards a successful future.”
The extension until at least 2029 builds on a wider package of support for young people travelling by bus in the region. In the same funding window, bus fares for children and young people remain frozen at £1 per journey, and the popular Kids Go Free scheme will continue during the summer, Christmas and Easter school holidays. The scheme, pioneered in the West of England, is also set to be rolled out nationally from August with £100 million of government investment.
Original press release by The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
