Henry Horton
In some regions, bus travel is free for children and young people under the age of 18. For example, in Orange County, young people aged 6 to 18 years old can ride public buses for free, and in Manchester, 16 to 18-year-olds can travel for free with a valid pass. In British Columbia, children 12 and under can ride BC Transit and TransLink transit services for free, and in San Bernardino, K-12 students can ride Omnitrans buses for free. Additionally, in the West Midlands, anyone aged 5-18 can purchase an unlimited travel pass for all bus operators within the nBus zone and National Express buses. These initiatives aim to encourage public transit use, provide affordable transportation, and support families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age limit | 5-18 years old |
| Area | West Midlands county, Orange County, Manchester, San Bernardino |
| Cost | Free, £10 administration fee for Manchester |
| Identification | 16-18 photocard, student ID |
| Other benefits | Access to opportunities, experiences, and benefits in Manchester |
What You'll Learn
Free bus travel for under 22s in Scotland
The Scottish Government has introduced a scheme that allows children and young people aged 5-21 who live in Scotland for at least six months of the year to travel for free on registered bus services in Scotland. This scheme is known as the Young Persons' (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scheme, you must be aged between 5 and 21 and live in Scotland for at least six months of the year. Asylum seekers and refugees aged between 5 and 21 can also access the scheme.
How to Apply
To access the scheme, you will need to apply for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or a Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC). If you already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC, you may be able to download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app. Otherwise, you can apply for a new card online at getyournec.scot or, if your child's school uses it, on parentsportal.scot. You can also apply directly through your local council.
Using Your Card
When travelling, make sure to have your card with you and inform the bus driver of your destination. Then, tap your card on the electronic card reader, and the smart technology will do the rest. It is important to note that only a few services, such as premium-fare night buses and City Sightseeing buses, will not accept the card.
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
For children aged 5-15, a parent, guardian, or carer must apply on their behalf and provide approval for them to travel for free by bus. It is important to have regular conversations with your child about staying safe and confident when travelling.
Additional Benefits of the Young Scot NEC
In addition to free bus travel, the Young Scot NEC offers several other benefits, such as in-person and online discounts, the ability to collect points by participating in activities, and proof of age.
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Free bus rides for K-12 students in San Bernardino
As of August 1, 2021, K-12 students in San Bernardino can ride the bus for free. The Omnitrans Free Fares for School pilot program allows students to ride to school, after-school activities, and around town at no cost. This program provides safe, affordable transportation and welcomes students back to in-person learning.
The K-12 Student Free Fare Program includes every bus system in San Bernardino County, such as Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit, Mountain Transit, Basin Transit, and Needles Area Transit. This means that students can access free rides every day on any of these bus systems.
To ride the bus for free, K-12 students simply need to show their student ID when boarding. There is no purchase or registration necessary to participate in the Free Fares for Schools program. However, it is important to note that the free fare program is implemented separately by each transit system, so identification requirements and rules may vary. Students are encouraged to visit the website of their local transit system for more specific information.
The free fare program is sponsored by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and was approved as a one-year pilot project in March 2023. It is primarily funded by Low Carbon Transit Operations (LCTOP) funding, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by increasing transit use. By providing free fares, the program offers a financial break to families and fosters independence among youth. It also ensures that students can easily access not just their schools but also any activities and outings.
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Free bus travel for under 18s scrapped in London
London's Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised the UK government's decision to scrap free travel for under-18s on London buses and the London Underground. The removal of the benefit was a condition of the £1.6 billion bailout package for Transport for London (TfL), which was agreed upon in May 2020. The deal was struck due to TfL's financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a 90% drop in passenger numbers.
Impact on Londoners
The change will impact London schoolchildren, particularly those from poorer families and ethnic minority backgrounds. It will also affect children who live far from their schools and rely on public transport to get to class. Some have raised concerns about the safety of young people who will now have to walk long distances to school or pay for their travel.
Alternative arrangements
Despite the removal of the benefit for most, some children will still be eligible for free travel. Children aged 10 and under will remain eligible, as will those who live more than two miles from their school or college, receive benefits, or have a health need. Additionally, children who do not have a safe walking route to school will continue to qualify for free travel.
Opposition and petitions
The decision has faced opposition from Londoners, with thousands signing petitions against the change. The Mayor of London has urged the government to reverse the decision, calling it "deeply unfair and damaging". A spokesperson for the Mayor stated that while they welcomed the exemption for younger children, the "fight goes on".
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Free bus travel for under 12s in British Columbia
The province of British Columbia offers free bus travel for children under 12. The Get on Board program allows children aged 12 and under to ride all BC Transit and TransLink transit services free of charge. This includes buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and the West Coast Express. The program was launched on September 1, 2021, and is the first province-wide free transit program for kids in Canada.
Guidelines for communities serviced by BC Transit
Children aged six to 12 can ride buses and handyDART for free without requiring a fare product or identification. Children aged five and under must be accompanied by a person 12 years or older.
Guidelines for the Metro Vancouver area serviced by TransLink
For TransLink gated services such as SkyTrain, SeaBus, and the West Coast Express, accompaniment by a fare-paying customer is required to tap children through the fare gates, up to a maximum of four children. Children 12 and under traveling alone may still access the gated systems but must purchase a fare to move through the gates.
Children aged 12 and under can ride buses free of charge anywhere in the TransLink service area without requiring a transit pass, identification, or an accompanying fare-paying customer. Children 12 and under who are registered HandyDART customers or are accompanying a registered HandyDART customer will be able to travel for free on HandyDART without requiring a fare product or identification. Similar to today, children on HandyDART must be accompanied by an adult.
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Free bus travel for under 19s in Scotland
The Scottish Government has introduced a scheme to provide free bus travel for young people in Scotland. The scheme was launched on 31 January 2022 and is part of the government's plan to build a fairer, greener society.
Who is eligible?
Young people aged 5-18 who live in Scotland for more than six months of the year are eligible for free bus travel. Children under 5 years old already travel for free on buses and do not need a card.
To access free bus travel, eligible young people need to apply for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or a Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC). This card must be presented when boarding the bus and scanned on the electronic ticket machine.
How to apply
Parents or guardians must apply on behalf of 5-15-year-olds. Young people aged 16-18 can apply themselves. Applications can be made online or directly with the local council.
Young people who are already 16-18 and have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC may not need to apply for a new card. They can download free bus travel onto their existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app.
Where can I go with the card?
The card can be used for free bus travel across Scotland, including long-distance journeys. There are a few exceptions, such as premium-fare night buses, sightseeing buses, and some airport transfer services.
The scheme was introduced to reduce transport costs for young people, encourage sustainable travel behaviours, and support Scotland's net-zero targets. It is expected to benefit around 930,000 young people in Scotland.
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