Families across North East Lincolnshire will pay less to get around this August after a new offer allowing children aged 5 to 15 to travel free on local buses was confirmed on Saturday.
What the scheme means for parents and carers
The temporary measure, announced by the council and supported by Stagecoach East Midlands, aims to reduce the cost of summer days out for households in the borough. Officials estimate that many journeys taken by youngsters normally cost between £1 and £2, so families could save multiple pounds over a week of outings.
- Who benefits: children aged 5–15 across North East Lincolnshire.
- When: throughout August (the council’s announcement covers the whole month).
- Where: borough-wide on participating bus services operated by Stagecoach East Midlands.
Local authority and operator responses
Local politicians and the bus company welcomed the move as a way to help residents with rising living costs and to promote public transport for family trips to beaches, parks and attractions.
“This gives children and families the chance to enjoy their time off without worrying as much about the cost of it all. North East Lincolnshire has plenty to offer and this gives them the chance to get out and see it.”
The quote above was made by Councillor Paul Batson, the council’s portfolio holder for Transport, Housing and Infrastructure.
“Our team play an essential role in ensuring that local people can get where they need to go, so we are looking forward to welcoming even more passengers on board this August. We’re making it even easier for families to leave the car at home and enjoy a great value day out.”
Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said the company is ready to welcome additional passengers and hoped the offer would demonstrate the role buses can play in connecting communities to local attractions.
Practical information and alternatives
Young people older than 15 will not be covered by the free travel offer, but there are other schemes for those eligible for concessions. Residents who qualify for state pension age or have certain disabilities can apply for the Concessionary Fares scheme to travel free across the borough at all times.
| Age group | Travel cost in August |
|---|---|
| 5–15 | Free on participating buses |
| 16–state pension age | Normal fares (discounts may apply) |
| State pension age / eligible disability | Free with Concessionary Fare Pass |
To find out more about applying for a Concessionary Fare Pass, the council advises visiting its travel pages online. The temporary free travel initiative comes after recent government moves to cut VAT on certain children and family attractions, part of a broader effort to ease the strain of household budgets this summer.
For families planning days out in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and surrounding wards, the offer could make short trips to the coast or local parks more feasible without relying on the car — and may also lead to busier services on popular routes during school holidays.
