Fair Bus Fares for Young People: A Policy Briefing Accessing Bus Fare Support for Young People Across the UK

The Fair Bus Fares for Young People policy briefing is produced as part of the project Transport to Thrive which aims to build the case for transport policy that better meets the needs of young people aged 16-24. Transport to Thrive is a partnership project between the Centre for Transport and Society at UWE Bristol and Sustrans. It is part of the Health Foundation’s Young People’s Future Health Inquiry. The Health Foundation is an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK.

Part 1: Current picture and future ambition

This section gives an overview of i) young people’s needs for bus fare support, ii) recent policy development and iii) the bus fare schemes available to young people aged 16+ across the UK. In new analysis completed for this policy briefing, this section describes the ambitions of 79 Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) in England for bus fare support for young people as set out in their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), plans submitted by LTAs in November 2021 in order to access national funding.

Part 2: Four case studies

Part 2 contains case studies of schemes in South Yorkshire (18-21, Zoom Beyond), West Yorkshire (19-25, MCard), London (16-17, Zip Pass) and Scotland (under 22s). They examine their policy justification, uptake by young people and the benefits of the schemes to young people and minority groups.

Part 3: Time to act

Part 3 summarises the policy priorities that bus fare policies for young people can help address. It ends with a set of asks to national governments, Local Transport Authorities and operators, developed with our Young Advisors.

Fair bus fares for young people: A policy briefing accessing bus fare support for young people across the UK