Thousands of children across Brighton & Hove will benefit from free bus travel throughout August.
We’re welcoming new Government funding designed to help families save money and make the most of the summer holidays.
The ‘Great British Summer Savings’ initiative will provide free bus travel for under 16’s across England from Saturday 1 August to Monday 31 August, helping families access days out, sports activities, cultural attractions and community events.
The offer is available on all the city’s bus operators, including Brighton & Hove Buses, Compass Travel and Stagecoach.
The funding will support local families during the school holidays while encouraging more people to visit the seafront, parks, leisure facilities, cultural venues and independent businesses, helping to boost visitor numbers and support the local economy during the summer months.
Our existing free travel offer remains available for 16 to 18 year olds travelling with a full fare-paying adult.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “I’m delighted that children and young people in Brighton & Hove will be able to travel for free by bus throughout August thanks to this Government funding.
"Our buses connect families to everything our city has to offer, from beaches and parks to sports activities, libraries, museums and community events. They’re also a cleaner, more sustainable form of transport.
“Removing travel costs will help more young people enjoy their summer holidays and make a positive difference for families during what can be an expensive time of year."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "We're giving families room to breathe from the cost of living squeeze. With free bus travel for 5-15 year olds and discounts on kids' meals at restaurants, cinema tickets and theme parks, we're helping people make the most of the time they have together for the school holidays.
“Not only are we lowering costs for the summer, the £2 bus fare cap will help all passengers get to where they need to for less."
Great British Summer Savings is a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks helping families enjoy a day out for less.
Care leavers in Brighton & Hove are being urged to apply for FREE bus travel as part of our drive to support young people in the city.
A new bus fare will launch on Wednesday 1 July for people living and working in the Whitehawk area of the city.
More than £12 million looks set to be spent on supporting bus travel for older and disabled people in Brighton & Hove over the next 12 months.