The Welsh government has announced that young people aged 16 to 21 will be able to ride on buses across Wales for £1 from September 2025.
Single fares will cost £1 with £3 day passes available on the scheme that the Welsh government will extend to five to 15-year-olds from November.
This will mean that 16- to-21-year-olds will need to apply for a free mytravelpass, if they don’t currently have one, and will be able to do so from 21 July.
In total, £15m is being provided over two financial years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to support £1 bus fares for 16 to 21-year-olds as part of the October 2024 Budget deal.
It was during this deal that UK chancellor announced that the Welsh government would receive £21bn in funding in 2025/26.
The Welsh government will also invest a further £7m to extend the scheme to five to 15-year-olds, from 3 November.
Welsh government cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “I am delighted to be launching a scheme that offers affordable bus travel for young people to help them access education, training, employment, and leisure.
“As well as supporting our efforts to encourage more people to use public transport, reduce carbon emissions and tackle poverty.
“As we approach the summer holidays, I want to encourage all those who haven’t signed up for a free mytravelpass to do so from the 21st July, this will mean they can take advantage of £1 bus fares from 1 September.
“I’m also pleased we will be able to extend the scheme to five to 15-years-olds from November.”
Achievements and innovations in sustainable transport planning will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
