Free Bus for Brighter Futures

Exploring how free bus travel shapes opportunities for children and families in Bristol.

Free Bus for Brighter Futures is a research project exploring how free bus travel shapes the everyday lives of children, young people, and families in Bristol, with a focus on Barton Hill and Hartcliffe.

The study focuses on the West of England Combined Authority’s Kids Go Free (KGF) scheme, which initially provided free bus travel during the summer of 2025. Using surveys and in-depth conversations with children, parents, and bus drivers, the project explores how free travel shapes mobility, access to opportunities, and experiences of public transport.

The project builds on the original Bus Project, which explored young people’s experiences of bus travel through creative and participatory methods. As part of the initial project, children and young people worked with Room 13 Hareclive to produce a

Make the scheme regular and work towards making it permanent

Running Kids Go Free across all school holidays would help families rely on it and make it easier for bus operators and communities to plan ahead. The research shows that cost is the biggest barrier to bus use, and holidays are when children most need affordable transport, as school buses are no longer available.

“You can’t just do it for six weeks and stop.”
(Barton Hill parent)

Extend free travel to at least age 18

Many young people remain in education, training, or work placements beyond the age of 16. Extending free travel to at least 18 would better support this stage of life and young people’s growing independence.

“Kids are in education until eighteen, they should have free bus travel until then.”
(Hareclive parent)

Let people know earlier and more clearly

Some families only found out about Kids Go Free after it had already begun, often through word of mouth. Earlier and clearer promotion would help ensure everyone has the chance to benefit and give schools, families, and community organisations time to prepare.

“For us, other parents told us. We didn’t see anything official at first.”
(Hareclive parent)

Provide training and support for bus drivers

More consistent training and guidance would support drivers to implement the scheme confidently and fairly, particularly around age identification and safeguarding. Drivers reported confusion due to last‑minute rollout and unclear expectations.

“That’s always tricky. You just have to take a wild guess and... I mean, apart from the one that got on with all his tattoos and said, "Child ticket, please. I mean, the company says, use your own judgment." (Driver)

Work with schools and community groups

Working together would help raise awareness of the scheme and support children to use buses positively and independently.

Find an inclusive way to handle age identification

Exploring simple, inclusive identification approaches could support drivers while avoiding new barriers for children. But attention needs to be focused on doing this in a way that does not inadvertently exclude some users. Consultation with other authorities that provide free bus schemes is advised.

In the longer term, the findings support consideration of making free bus travel a permanent provision, alongside further research into its wider impacts.

Further detail is available in the full policy briefing.

How the research was conducted

The study used a mixed-methods approach to understand both patterns of bus use and lived experience.

Over 600 surveys were completed by children, young people, and parents
Focus groups and interviews were conducted with children, parents, bus drivers, and a youth worker
Data were collected between October and December 2025, reflecting on experiences during the summer free travel period

This approach combined survey findings with detailed accounts of everyday experiences.

Buses are essential for many families

Often the main or only way to access school, healthcare, and daily life.

Free travel increased independence and opportunity

Children and young people travelled more, visited new places, and spent more time with others.

Barriers remain

Reliability, safety, and cost continue to shape how buses are used.

Experiences change with age

Younger children travel with family, while older young people travel more independently.

Bus drivers played key role

Bus drivers played a key role in making the scheme work, often relying on judgement in the absence of clear guidance.

Conclusion

This project shows that free bus travel can make a meaningful difference to children’s and families’ lives. However, its full impact depends on the wider transport system, including how reliable, safe, and accessible services are in practice.