Rutland County Council is set to launch a new travel initiative this September, introducing a capped £1 single bus fare for young people across the county. Designed to make public transport significantly more accessible and affordable, the scheme aims to ease financial pressures on local families while empowering youth to travel more independently.
Beginning in September 2026, the £1 single fare will be available to all eligible residents aged 5 to 19. Whether young people need to commute to school or college, travel to work, meet up with friends and family, or take part in local activities, the initiative covers the wide range of journeys they make every day.
Accessing the scheme involves straightforward guidelines tailored to different age groups. Children aged 5 to 10 will automatically benefit from the £1 cap without needing any special documentation. However, for those aged 11 to 19, securing the discount requires a free Young Person’s Discount bus pass. Applications for these passes are open now, giving parents, carers, and teenagers ample time to get organized before the fares take effect in September. Once children currently aged 10 turn 11, they will similarly need to transition to holding a pass to keep receiving the capped rate.
Cllr Oliver Hemsley, Cabinet Member for Transport, emphasised the community benefits of the program, stating that the council wants to make bus travel an affordable and accessible option that removes cost as a barrier to independent travel. He noted that the initiative will give families greater choice in how they navigate daily routines, from education to extracurricular pursuits.
This fare-capping measure forms a key component of Rutland County Council’s broader strategy to improve local public transport networks and encourage more residents to consider buses for everyday travel.
Families and young people interested in learning more about the scheme, reviewing eligibility requirements, or submitting an application for a bus pass can visit the official web page: https://www.rutland.gov.uk/rutland-buses/bus-passes/young-persons-discount-bus-pass
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.
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