Free bus travel for care leavers

If you’re a care leaver aged 16 – 25 and live in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority or North Somerset Council region, you can claim free bus travel until the end of March 2029!

Apply for your pass online. Before you start, make sure you have:

Your address: A valid address in the West of England area (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset)
Your age: If you’re 16 to 25 you’ll need to verify your age, to make sure that the bus operators are reimbursed correctly. Please check the application page for more details.
Your identity: A recent digital photo that meets the standard photo-pass requirements.
Unique code: You can get your code by contacting your pathway plan support worker at your Local Authority (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, or North Somerset Council).

During your application, you’ll choose how you want to receive your pass:

Once your application has been processed:

If you chose a smartcard, it will be sent to you by post
If you chose a digital pass, you’ll receive a link to download the app and access your pass

Simply scan your pass on the machine reader when boarding the bus.

Apply now

Your pass will be accepted on most buses in the West of England.

Exceptions include:

School services
Community transport
Special event services
Tour buses
Coach services
Airport services (A1, A3 and trips on the A4 service starting or ending at Bristol Airport)
Newport bus
Stagecoach Falcon
Bath Park & Ride services 21, 31, and 41 (it is accepted on service 4 from Odd Down Park & Ride)

Other exclusions may apply.