The UK government has confirmed that it will not introduce free bus passes for under‑22s in England, rejecting MPs’ calls for a national youth travel scheme on cost grounds. Instead, any concessions for younger passengers will remain a matter for individual local authorities, while the statutory free bus pass continues to focus on older and disabled people.
What the government has decided
A cross‑party Transport Committee had recommended trialling free bus travel for all under‑22s in England to improve access to work, training and education, especially in areas with poor public transport. In its formal response, the Department for Transport said the proposal was “unaffordable” during the current spending review period, which runs until at least 2028–29, and confirmed there will be no government‑funded under‑22 free pass scheme.
Ministers argued that the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme already costs around £700 million a year and that any major expansion must be carefully assessed for long‑term financial sustainability. They said the priority is to use existing funding to stabilise and improve bus services generally, including through the Bus Services Act and extra money for local authorities, rather than creating a new national entitlement for young people.
Why campaigners wanted free travel for under‑22s
MPs and campaign groups pushing for the change said free bus passes for under‑22s could boost economic opportunity by making it easier to reach jobs, apprenticeships and colleges, particularly in rural and deprived areas where services are patchy and fares high. Bus usage among young people has fallen in recent years while fares have risen faster than inflation, and the committee warned this was “holding back opportunity and growth” in parts of England.
Supporters also pointed to Scotland, where all residents aged 5 to 21 have been entitled to free bus travel since January 2022, as proof that a youth scheme can work at scale. Young people interviewed by the BBC described paying over £100 a month for bus commutes and said a free pass would have significantly eased the pressure of bills, rent and saving for a first home.
Youth free bus passes: England vs Scotland
| Country / nation | Under‑22 free bus scheme? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England | No national free pass for under‑22s; proposals rejected as “unaffordable” until at least 2028–29. | |
| Scotland | Yes – nationwide free bus travel for 5–21‑year‑olds since January 2022. | |
| Wales / N. Ireland | Various youth concessions but no identical national under‑22 scheme. |
Government’s reasoning and alternative priorities
The Department for Transport stressed that its main focus is on “backing buses” through a £1 billion funding package, fare caps and new powers for councils rather than a universal youth pass. Ministers say multi‑year funding to local authorities, reforms to franchising and crackdowns on service cuts will do more to improve reliability and coverage for all passengers, including young people.
Officials also rejected related Transport Committee recommendations such as national minimum service standards for buses, arguing that big differences in geography, demand and cost across England make a one‑size‑fits‑all obligation impractical. Critics, including committee chair Ruth Cadbury, called the response a “missed opportunity” to tackle poor connectivity and isolation, especially in rural communities.
What this means for young people now
In practice, the decision means nothing changes nationally for under‑22s in England: they will continue to pay normal or locally discounted fares rather than getting a universal free pass. Any concessions—such as half‑price tickets, term‑time passes or locally funded schemes—will depend on the policies and budgets of individual councils and operators.
Young people in border areas may continue to see stark contrasts, with peers in Scotland enjoying free travel while those in nearby English towns pay full fares. Campaigners are likely to keep pressing local and national leaders for cheaper youth fares, especially as the cost‑of‑living crisis and high housing costs squeeze those in their late teens and early twenties.
What options remain for cheaper travel
Even without a national free‑pass scheme, under‑22s in England still have a few ways to cut costs: local youth or student bus cards, regional multi‑operator passes, 16–17 or 16–25 railcards (for train and some combined tickets), and council‑run schemes in certain city regions. The government also continues to support a national bus‑fare cap in England outside London, which has limited many single fares and can help frequent travellers, though it is not targeted specifically at under‑22s.
Because offers vary widely, young people are being encouraged to check their local council’s transport pages, operators’ websites and student‑union advice services to see what discounts exist in their area, rather than assuming a standard national deal.
SOURCE
FAQs
Q1: Did the government cancel an existing free pass for under‑22s?
No. There was never a national free bus pass for under‑22s in England—the government has rejected a proposal to create one.
Q2: Why was the under‑22 free pass plan rejected?
Ministers said a national scheme would be “unaffordable” during the current spending review period and that funds should instead support overall bus services.
Q3: Where do under‑22s get free bus travel now?
Scotland offers free nationwide bus travel to people aged 5–21, but in England any youth concessions depend on local authority and operator schemes rather than a national pass.
