More than 14.5 million free bus journeys were taken by children across England this August, according to official figures released following the conclusion of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme.
The £100 million initiative, which ran from 1 August to 31 August 2026, allowed children aged 5 to 15 to travel for free on most bus services. The Department for Transport confirmed the final ridership numbers on 25 September, noting that the scheme was designed to ease cost-of-living pressures for families during the school holidays.
In West Sussex, the scheme was implemented by local operators including Stagecoach South, Compass Travel, and Metrobus, which serve Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas.
While the free travel offer for under-16s ended on 31 August, a national price cap remains in place for all passengers. Single bus fares in England are currently capped at £3 until 31 December 2026.
From 1 January 2027, the national single bus fare cap is scheduled to drop from £3 to £2.
For young people in the local area who no longer qualify for the summer free travel, West Sussex County Council continues to promote the ‘16 to 20 Bus Saver’ scheme. This allows residents aged 16 to 20 to access discounted fares on most journeys starting or ending in the county, provided they can show proof of age to the driver.
The upcoming reduction to the £2 fare cap in January will apply to the vast majority of local routes, including those connecting Bognor Regis with Chichester, Littlehampton, and Petworth. Public transport users are advised that until the new year, the standard maximum single fare remains £3 unless a specific local discount or concessionary pass applies.
