Young people welcome free bus travel in August

Young people in parts of the East Midlands can access free bus travel during August, it has been announced.

Bus travel on eligible services is already free for five to 15-year-olds in England as part of the government's Great British Summer Savings scheme, and children under five travel for free all year round.

But East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward is also funding free summer travel for 16 to 18-year-olds across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

"The national scheme is a welcome boost for families with younger children, but I was determined that our 16 to 18-year-olds would not be left behind," she said.

"No young person should miss out on work, training, education or time with friends because they cannot afford the bus.

"By extending free travel to 16 to 18-year-olds, we are giving families real cost-of-living support and giving teenagers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire the freedom to make the most of their summer."

Bailey Peach, 18, has just finished his A-levels and said free bus travel would make it easier for him to get to his job at a pizza restaurant.

"It means I don't have that economic worry or have to ask my parents to drop me off," he said.

"At this stage in my life, everyone's finding themselves and finding what they like, and now we have more opportunity to actually go and do that."

His coworker, 17-year-old Caitlin Sneath, said it could help tackle the growing number of people her age who were not in employment, education or training.

"For newer generations there are fewer job opportunities and being able to have free buses helps you commute to other places to find other jobs," she said.

"Getting the bus, the price adds up, so it really does help."

Twenty bus operators have signed up to the scheme, including Nottingham City Transport, Trentbarton, and Arriva.

David Astill MBE, managing director at Nottingham City Transport, said it would allow young people to see more of the city.

"We see this as an opportunity for children and teenagers to get out, sample the bus network, and hopefully get into a habit where they'll use buses well into adulthood," he said.

In order to travel for free, 16 to 18-year-olds may be required to show an approved proof of age, such as a passport or driving licence, or they can obtain a proof of age card from participating bus operators.

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