Over 140,000 free kids journeys in first week

The first week of the school summer holidays saw children and young people across the region take over 143,000 free bus journeys, thanks to investment from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Initial analysis suggests a jump of nearly a third in youngsters getting on the bus compared to the same time last year.

Free travel for under 16s began on Saturday 19 July and continues until Sunday 5 September – just hop on board, with no bus pass or registration required. Families across the West are already making the most of what the West has to offer this summer. Travelwest includes a list of free activities, alongside handy journey planning information.

New figures show that at least 143,307 free bus journeys were taken by under 16s in the West between Saturday 19 – Friday 25 July (inclusive). This figure will rise once further data is shared by remaining bus operators. Number-crunching of the data available shows around 35,000 more journeys taken by kids during the first week of the summer holidays this year compared to the average seven-day period in July 2024.

Launching the scheme earlier this month, the new Mayor, council leaders, and bus operators joined children from Walliscote Primary School on the beach in Weston-super-Mare.

Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:

“Together, we’re building the kind of bus service that local people deserve. It’s right that we help people save money and encourage greener travel. With free travel available for 150,000 kids, local families are already having busloads of fun during the school holidays. This is just the start of a new chapter for the West.

“From this summer, more and more of us are travelling on our new green electric buses. Getting more people on board now helps lay the foundations for a better transport system overall. We secured £752 million for that next stage in the recent Spending Review, including for better buses. That will get the West out of the slow lane on transport as we start to catch up with other city-regions.”

Councillor Kevin Guy, the Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said:

“This is brilliant news for families across Bath. Free bus travel for children this summer means more affordable days out. Whether it’s exploring the Roman Baths, enjoying Victoria Park, or heading to the countryside, this is a real boost for parents juggling holiday plans and a great way to get more people using public transport. I’m proud that Bath & North East Somerset Council is part of this initiative to make travel easier, greener and more inclusive.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, the Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“We fully support this new initiative and welcome the effort put in by Helen and her team to work with bus operators and other partners to make this happen. The cost of transport is a major challenge for families and young people looking to explore our city and region and can act as a barrier to seeking out new opportunities. We want to continue to work with the Mayoral Combined Authority to find new ways of increasing mobility across the city, especially where we can make active and public transport more accessible. With so many events and activities happening across Bristol this summer, most of which you can access via our Your Holiday Hub website, this initiative is helping make accessing these opportunities much easier for households across our city.”

Councillor Mike Bell, the Leader of North Somerset Council, said:

“So many families and young people in North Somerset are benefitting from this brilliant summer initiative. Free bus travel opens up a world of opportunity, from exploring locally or being able to spend more time with friends and family. We’re proud to support this investment in affordable, sustainable travel.”

Councillor Ian Boulton, the Co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“Free bus travel over the holidays means the freedom to explore for so many children and families over the holidays. It helps keep the summer expenses down for family trips and visits to the attractions and activities that make summer special.”

Kathryn Davis, MD of Visit West, said:

“We are delighted that people can make the most of the summer through free or affordable, and sustainable travel across the region this summer, making the most of our world class visitor experience and sharing their experiences with friends and family. It’s a great chance to visit the museum or attraction that you’ve always wanted to go, discover something new and find your new favourite place.

“We’re supporting the campaigns through our Visit Bristol and Visit Bath channels as we welcome visitors from the UK and overseas to join our local residents in an incredible summer in the West of England.”

Derek White, Managing Director of Bath Bus Company, said:

“Bath Bus Company are delighted to participate in the Kids go free scheme, demonstrating a fantastic collaborative initiative between the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and local bus operators which are benefitting all of the communities we serve.”

Rob Pymm, Commercial Director of First Bus – Wales & West, said:

“This is a fantastic way for under 16s to get around for free during the summer holidays, helping busy families to save money and do their bit for the environment.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the scheme and look forward to continuing to welcome everyone on board.”

This initiative is funded using some of the £13.5 million of Bus Grant funding secured from the Department for Transport by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Plans were announced by council leaders and the new Mayor, just over a month after her election, in June with pupils from Perry Court E-ACT Academy in Hengrove at one of the most popular free playparks in the south of England.

The free travel offer runs until 5 September (to cover varying INSET days) across the West of England and North Somerset during the same period on all registered commercial and supported bus services starting in those areas, with limited exemptions set out on Travelwest.

Original press release by the West of England Combined Authority