Figures reported on 25 September 2026 say more than 14.5 million free bus journeys were taken by children in England during August 2026 under the Great British Summer Savings Scheme's Summer Bus Fare Offer. The Department for Transport said children aged between 5 and 15 travelled free on participating buses from 1 August to 31 August 2026, with child fares typically costing up to £2. The figures were attributed to the Confederation of Passenger Transport and participating operators.

Buses and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said millions of children had used the bus free that summer and that the scheme gave families relief from cost-of-living pressure. Graham Vidler, chief executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said members delivered over 14 million free child journeys, equivalent to two for every young person in England. The department cited one north-east service recording 710% more child passengers than the previous summer and nearly 1.7 million children on Greater Manchester's Bee Network buses, 748,000 more than the same time last year.

The government said a £2 bus fare cap is planned to start in January 2027, alongside free bus travel around the clock for disabled pass holders.