Parents in South Yorkshire receive financial boost as holiday savings start now on buses
The new Prime Minister has introduced another policy aimed at making public transport more accessible amid the cost of living crisis
Following news of the £2 bus fare-cap, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s continued focus on public transport has seen him introduce another new policy in an effort to get families out and about this summer.
Starting today (Saturday 1 August) children under-16 will have free access to travel on most public buses throughout the country.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We're giving families room to breathe from the cost of living squeeze.
"With free bus travel for 5-15 year olds and discounts on kids' meals at restaurants, cinema tickets and theme parks, we're helping people make the most of the time they have together for the school holidays.
"Not only are we lowering costs for the summer, the £2 bus fare cap will help all passengers get to where they need to for less."
The policy, which is set to be in place throughout the month of August, is designed to help support families amid the cost of living crisis, and make it easier to travel to places such as museums, beaches and national parks.
A statement from the Department for Transport explains: “From today till the end of August, under 16s will be able to travel on most local buses in England for free, giving families a helping hand with the cost of living over the school holidays.
“Families will be able to enjoy days out for less as part of the government's Great British Summer Savings scheme, which is also cutting costs on children’s menu meals at restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone at attractions like adventure centres, theme parks and soft play.
There are thousands of brilliant attractions families can save money on this summer, such as theme parks, castles and hidden gems like wildlife watching in the Lakes.
Families can get free buses for kids to these incredible places across the UK, including:
- the X46 from Hull to York for a spooky trip to The York Dungeon
- hopping on the Carousel 37 from High Wycombe to see the deer in Windsor Great Park and visit Windsor Castle
- taking the 54 bus from Leicester for an out of this world experience at the National Space Centre
- the Coaster 12, Regency 28 or the Breeze 77 are local buses that will take you right to Brighton's seafront for a day at the beach, exploring the lanes or going on the rides on Brighton Pier
- the X1 and X11 from Norwich to Great Yarmouth for a wonderful day out at the Merrivale Model Village
- for a day exploring the outdoors, the 23 or 24 bus from Birmingham to Woodgate Valley Country Park for pony trekking, cycling or visiting the sheep, pigs and goats at the Urban Farm
Visit England Director, Andrew Stokes added: "It’s fantastic to see free bus travel for children as the summer holidays get underway, supporting families to get out and explore the outstanding attractions and destinations across England in a stress-free and environmentally friendly way.
“Whether enjoying a trip to our stunning seaside destinations, beautiful countryside or our vibrant city attractions, there is so much to discover during the summer across England. I know our tourism and hospitality businesses will be very pleased to see you."
This announcement follows news of Burnham’s £2 bus fare cap which is set to come into place throughout the UK from 1 January 2027. This policy is mostly supported by our readers although it’s far from the only thing he’ll need to get on top of in office, with some calling for changes to the retirement age and the tax threshold among other issues.
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