Children's bus tickets capped at £1 until 2029

A £1 cap on child bus tickets in Bristol and Somerset has been extended until spring 2029.

The West of England Combined Authority (Weca) announced the three-year extension of the initiative as part of a wider fares support package for bus passengers.

The multi-operator fare cap, free bus travel for care leavers up to the age of 25, the Youth Guarantee free bus pass and the Diamond Pass to allow pensioners and disabled passengers to travel for free will also be extended following funding from the Department of Transport.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: "We're determined to support the delivery of affordable, reliable and accessible transport networks that passengers deserve."

According to Weca, the £1 child fare cap - which was introduced in September 2022 - has already saved families across the region about £1.1m in the last year.

The authority has also allowed children to travel for free during the summer and Christmas half term holidays since June 2025.

Tony Dyer, leader of Bristol City Council, said he was "pleased" to see the extension of several money-saving schemes which would encourage more people to travel by bus.

"We will continue working with the Mayoral Combined Authority, bus operators and neighbouring councils to deliver reliable and affordable services," he added.

North Somerset councillor Hugh Malyan said: "Extension of these schemes will mean increased access to services for many, and at the same time support wider ambitions for a cleaner, more sustainable and inclusive transport network for the future."

Over the coming weeks, Weca is set to consult residents on its developing Bus Plan to enable the community to work together to build a more reliable bus network, which was earmarked as a priority for the region.

Elsewhere, the authority's Transport Vision plan which was announced last month also aims to transform public transport services across the region, with proposals to implement an extended rail network, a mass transit system, safer active travel and improved streets.

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