Bus fares for 5-16 year-olds to be made £1 or free in city-wide trial

Bus fares for children and young people are being reduced in York, in a four-month trial to support families and encourage them to choose sustainable transport.

From 3 September, up to 3 children accompanied by a fare-paying adult will travel for free, and anyone aged from 5 to 16 will pay no more than £1 for a single fare when travelling unaccompanied by an adult on any bus journey which starts and ends within the City of York boundary.

These fare reductions are being delivered using money from the city’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which is funded by government and delivering projects such as fare subsidies and infrastructure improvements. The BSIP will run up to the end of March 2025 and aims to leave a lasting legacy of high-quality bus services.

The young people’s fare reductions are the second subsidy to be offered under BSIP, following the decision to halve the price of an All York Family ticket over the summer holidays. Future BSIP projects will include improvements to Park & Ride sites, bus priority measures and upgrades to infrastructure.

Young persons aged 11-16 need to show proof of age, such as a YOzone card, when requested to do so by the driver. You can apply for a free YOzone card online by visiting www.york.gov.uk/yozone

The £1 child single fare will be cheaper than the majority of single fares currently being offered, however for daily bus users, weekly or monthly child tickets will in many cases continue to offer the best value.

The discounted fares are available on all local bus services within the City of York boundary, including Park & Ride.

Dedicated school services, coach services, race day shuttle services or tour buses are not included in the offer.

Note that under 5s can already travel free of charge on the city’s local bus network.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy and Transport at City of York Council, said:

“From teenagers travelling to sports and after school activities, to parents and children going shopping or visiting friends, everyone aged 5-16 will benefit from this fare reduction. It comes at a time when family budgets are under immense pressure and when we’ve got to start thinking about reducing car use and switch to more environmentally friendly modes of transport. We are pleased to be able to offer this £1 or free ticket price and encourage everyone to go by bus in York.”

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

People up and down the country deserve a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have provided City of York Council with more than £17 million to boost its bus services.

"Supporting the Council with trialling £1 fares and free travel for 5-16 year olds is fantastic for York’s young residents and families, who will now be able to save money and travel across the city for less.”

Find more about the fare reductions on the iTravel website www.itravelyork.info/