Stagecoach East has confirmed that children aged five to 15 can travel free on the operator’s services across Milton Keynes for the whole of August, following the launch of the government’s Great British Summer Savings Scheme on 1 August. The company said only a small number of specialist or exempt services are not included in the offer.
What the scheme means locally
The measure allows families to make short trips for leisure or shopping without paying fares for children, while children under five continue to travel free throughout the year. Stagecoach has also highlighted the operator’s existing cap on single adult fares, with Adult Single journeys limited to £3, as an additional cost-saving for those travelling with children.
“We are very proud to be part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme,” said Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East.
Stagecoach urged passengers to consider the bus as an alternative to driving, pointing to savings on parking and reduced congestion. The operator encouraged customers to use the Stagecoach Bus App to check routes, buy tickets in advance and track services.
Practical details
- Who qualifies: children aged 5–15 inclusive.
- When: the arrangement runs through the month of August.
- Exemptions: a small number of specialist services are excluded.
Thorough details of local routes, any service-specific exclusions and ticketing advice are provided via the operator’s app and online channels. Passengers wanting to confirm whether a particular service is covered should check those sources before travelling.
Context and reaction
The scheme is part of a national package intended to ease household costs and promote public transport use. In July, the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, framed the measure as one element of broader support to reduce everyday expenses and help families enjoy small days out.
Locally, the move is likely to increase demand on popular routes during school holidays and at weekends. Operators and local authorities will monitor passenger numbers to assess whether additional capacity or timetable adjustments are needed during August.
| Age | Fare status in August |
|---|---|
| Under 5 | Free year-round |
| 5–15 | Free on most Stagecoach services in August |
| Adult | Single fares capped at £3 |
Passengers are advised to check the Stagecoach Bus App for the latest service information, to buy tickets before boarding where possible, and to verify if a specific journey is among the few exempted services.
More details on routes and exclusions are available through Stagecoach’s customer information channels.
