Children can travel by bus for free this summer - thanks to new government scheme

Children across the region will benefit from free bus travel this summer - thanks to new funding from the Government.

The initiative will run from Saturday 1 August until Monday 31 August - making it cheaper for families to go out as a group, visit the town centres, the beach, or go out for a meal and the cinema. 

“We have long said that buses are the perfect solution to helping reduce congestion on our roads, and improving the air we breathe here - so we are delighted the Government its echoing this way of thinking and making bus travel even more affordable this summer,’ said David Lee-King, Morebus commercial director.

“Children aged five to 11 must be accompanied by an adult when travelling for free. However those who are 11 to 15 years may travel alone. Single fares for adults are currently capped at £3. 

“With fuel costs high, this scheme provides an extra incentive for local people to ease their cost of living during the summer holidays, by leaving their cars at home and opting for sustainable transport instead. 

‘We’re looking forward to welcoming many new customers on-board over the coming months.”

For adults travelling with children five to 11, concessionary card holders are classified as fare paying adults. When boarding, customers must inform the driver of where they are travelling to, and how many five to 11 year olds they have with them. Each child will be issued with a ticket. 

Fare paying adults are urged to use tap on tap off to pay for their tickets if taking more than one journey in any one day - so their daily fare will be capped at the cost of a Dayrider in the zone they are travelling in. 

When children 11 to 15 years are travelling independently as part of the scheme, they should tell the driver where they are going and wait for their ticket to be issued. 

Older children, those who are 14 and 15, should ensure they can prove their age - by carrying a birth certificate, passport or school pass showing their year group for 2025/2026. Drivers will accept a clear photo of a birth certificate or passport on a mobile phone. Those who are unable to confirm their age, when asked, will need to pay the appropriate fare in order for them to travel. 

Some journeys - including night buses and the New Forest Tour - are not included in the scheme. Full details and terms and conditions can be found at morebus.co.uk