Children aged 15 and under will be able to travel free on a number of bus services around Kent for the month of August under the government's England-wide Great British Summer Savings scheme.
What the scheme covers
The offer applies across the county on services run by several operators. Named participants include Fastrack, Arriva, Stagecoach, NuVenture, Chalkwell and Go-Ahead. The intention is to reduce the cost of family days out during the school holidays and to encourage greater use of public transport.
"It's a great way to encourage more people to use public transport," said Spencer Dixon, deputy cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Kent County Council. He added that he was "pleased to support this government-funded initiative" which will "help families save money during the school holidays".
Local support and wider aims
Kent County Council has welcomed the initiative, highlighting both the short-term benefit to household budgets and the potential longer-term gain in confidence for younger passengers using buses. Council comments point to the scheme helping children access attractions and activities across the county without their families needing to drive.
Additional island offer
Separately, Kent County Council is backing Travelmasters' 360 Sunday service on the Isle of Sheppey. Every Sunday in August passengers can travel for a flat fare of £2 per journey, with the route connecting Leysdown, Warden Bay, Eastchurch, Minster and Sheerness. The service is being promoted as an easy way to reach the island's beaches and local amenities.
- Free travel for under-16s runs throughout August on participating routes.
- Participating bus operators include Fastrack, Arriva, Stagecoach, NuVenture, Chalkwell and Go-Ahead.
- Travelmasters' 360 Sunday offers a flat £2 fare across the Isle of Sheppey on Sundays in August.
Practical considerations for families
Families planning to take advantage of the free travel should check which services operated by the above companies will accept the offer, and whether any local routes or ticketing conditions apply. Operators may apply the scheme differently on commercial and contracted services, so verifying details before travelling will avoid disappointment.
| Offer | Who benefits | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Free bus travel | Children aged 15 and under | Participating services across Kent |
| 360 Sunday flat fare | All passengers | Isle of Sheppey routes – Leysdown to Sheerness |
Parents and guardians who plan outings during August should consult the websites or customer services of the named operators for route maps, timetable changes and any terms attached to the free travel offer. This will ensure families can make the most of lower-cost travel while avoiding any route exclusions or ticketing restrictions.
Further enquiries and updates about local services may be available from Kent County Council and the participating bus companies as the scheme is implemented.
