Free bus passes should be given to all under 22-year-olds in England, MPs say
Under 22-year-olds across England should be given free bus passes to help improve life chances, MPs have said.
In a new report today, the Commons Transport Committee said the move would improve young people's access to "work and skills opportunities". Scotland already has free bus travel for under-22s while Wales offers young people a one-third discount on bus fares.
Parts of England offer discounted travel for young people, such as London, But in its report the Committee said: "England's patchwork of local youth concessions contrasts with national schemes in Scotland and Wales. A coherent national approach to ensure fair access across England is essential if the Government is serious about driving economic growth, which depends on removing barriers to education, training, and employment for the next generation." It comes after Gordon Brown hit out at the return of 'poverty of 60 years ago' with one big demand.
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The MPs said the government should "consider piloting a free bus pass for under-22s, valid for travel at any time of the day". The Committee also said buses remain the most used form of public transport in England. This is despite a "significant decline" in local bus networks over the last decade - leaving many without access to reliable services.
They cited Department for Transport figures showing the number of bus journeys taken in England outside of London fell from 4.6 billion in 2009 to 3.6 billion in 2024.
Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, who chairs the Committee, said: "Those most affected by unreliable or even non-existent buses include the young, who need them to get to school, college, university and their first jobs. Denying young people these experiences denies them their life chances.
"We call for a universal, free bus pass for all under-22s to equalise opportunity. While the bus fare caps have been beneficial, the government has yet to spell out a coherent strategy of what they aim to achieve, and whether more targeted options could produce better outcomes.
"While the government's Bus Services Bill contains positive ideas, the Transport Committee's report says ministers should go further to get bums back on seats."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport said: 'After decades of decline, we're providing a record £1billion in multi-year funding to improve the reliability and frequency of bus services across the country.
'Our landmark Bus Services Bill will protect routes and prevent services from being scrapped – bringing buses back into local control and will put passengers at the heart of services.
"We have also stepped in to prevent a fare hike for passengers by extending the £3 fare cap until March 2027. Better buses are central to the Government's Plan for Change— connecting communities, strengthening the local economy, and boosting access to jobs.'
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