Younger children added to £1 youth bus fare scheme

Plans to cap single bus fares at £1 for 16 to 21-year-olds in Wales will now be extended to younger children.

A discounted bus travel scheme for young people - due to begin in September - had been criticised because five to 15-year-olds could end up paying more for buses than older teens.

The Welsh government has now decided to extend the year long pilot to younger children, although they will benefit from November, two months later than 16 to 21-year-olds will.

Plaid Cymru, which had accused ministers of botching the original plans, said ministers had committed an "unacceptable oversight" as a result of a "last-minute" budget deal.

Single fares in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport for five to 15-year-olds are all currently higher than the planned cap.

The bus scheme was part of an agreement between Welsh Labour and the Welsh Liberal Democrats in February which allowed the government's spending plans to pass.

Single fares will cost £1 and day passes £3. Those aged 16 to 21 will need a Mytravelpass to get the fares.

Pass holders already get a third off fares, although only a third of 16 to 21-year-olds are members.

Those who already have a pass will not need to reapply, but new applicants will have to wait until 21 July until they can sign up online.

Children aged five to 15 will not need a pass to qualify. The pilot is due to close at the end of August 2026.

Their part of the scheme will start later - officials say complexities to do with the use of the public bus network for school bus travel have meant it has taken longer to set up.

Ministers have found an extra £7m to pay for the extension - raising the cost from £15m to £22m.

Bus companies need to sign up for young people to benefit - officials say they expect the vast majority to do so, with discussions under way.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: "Cutting the cost of travel for young people and providing better transport for all is one of our top priorities. We are delivering our promises to young people across Wales."

Peredur Owen Griffiths of Plaid Cymru said: "The original proposals were absurd, with young people under 15 being left having to pay more to use buses on which they rely so much.

"This unacceptable oversight was a result of desperate last-minute deals from Labour, who were seeking any way to get their unambitious and insufficient Budget through.

The Welsh Conservatives' Sam Rowlands said: "Welsh Conservatives have long called for free bus travel for young people, to help them access the education, training and employment they need.

"More investment is needed to support bus routes in rural communities, ensuring all parts of society can access bus travel."