A new initiative introduced by the Welsh Government will see all young people in Wales able to access discounted bus fares, with single journeys costing just £1. Additionally, a day ticket will be available for £3. The scheme, which is set to run for 24 months, will apply to those under the age of 21.
The announcement coincided with the finalisation of the Welsh Government’s budget for 2025-26. After weeks of speculation over whether it would secure the support of at least one opposition member, the Labour-led government has struck a deal with Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrat Member of the Senedd for Brecon and Radnorshire.
The draft budget was initially published in December, but the final version, which incorporates agreements made with the Liberal Democrats, has now been released. The formal vote on the budget is scheduled for 4 March and is expected to pass without controversy.
As part of the agreement, £15 million has been allocated to fund the bus pilot scheme, which will run throughout 2025-26 and 2026-27. The initiative aims to ease financial pressures on young people amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Similar schemes have previously been trialled by some local councils, including Rhondda Cynon Taf, and have been widely welcomed. However, financial constraints have forced some councils to cut home-to-school transport services. For example, Bridgend Council recently withdrew bus provisions for students who have an “identified and available safe walking route to school.”
Under the new pilot scheme, young people eligible for public transport, including those who rely on home-to-school bus services, will benefit from the £1 fare cap.
The initiative follows the UK Government’s single bus fare cap in England, which initially set a £2 limit on fares until December 2024. This cap has since been extended for another year. In England, a £3 cap also applies to single fares on routes included in the scheme, ensuring that no single journey exceeds this amount. Routes where fares are currently below £3 will only see increases in line with inflation.
The Welsh Government’s new pilot scheme represents a significant step towards making public transport more affordable and accessible for young people across the country.
Young people in Wales to benefit from £1 single bus fares under new pilot scheme
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