Summer savings scheme helped families cut costs with over 14 million free bus journeys
Over 14.5 million free bus journeys were taken by children in England during August 2026 under the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, cutting family travel costs.
The Great British Summer Savings Scheme provided free bus travel for children aged 5 to 15 across England from 1 to 31 August 2026, enabling over 14.5 million journeys. Families saved up to £2 per child fare, allowing trips to beaches, parks and museums without cost. Bus operators reported significant passenger increases, with one service in the north-east seeing a 710% rise in child passengers compared to the previous summer.
Participating operators, including the Bee Network in Greater Manchester, recorded nearly 1.7 million child journeys, a 748,000 increase from the same period in 2025. Services in the East Midlands nearly doubled their child passenger numbers during the scheme’s operation. The initiative aimed to ease cost-of-living pressures while encouraging bus use among young people and families.
The scheme supports the government’s broader transport strategy, including a £2 bus fare cap set to launch in January 2027 and 24/7 free travel for disabled pass holders. Officials highlighted the scheme’s role in making bus travel more affordable and accessible nationwide. The success follows earlier measures to improve bus services and reduce financial barriers for passengers.
As autumn begins, the government continues promoting bus travel through initiatives like Catch the Bus Month, encouraging sustainable transport habits. The scheme’s impact reflects growing demand for affordable travel options across regions including the north-east, East Midlands and south-west.