Free bus travel expands as West of England fares rise and rail competition grows
A string of transport announcements this week shows national free-travel schemes widening while some local bus passengers face higher fares and new international rail routes move closer.
National transport policies are expanding free and discounted travel at the same time as some local bus operators raise fares, a cluster of announcements this week shows.
The Department for Transport announced that eligible disabled people across England will get free bus travel all day, every day, after the Prime Minister said the government will lift time restrictions on concessionary passes [5]. The Cotswold Journal reported that the Government's free bus travel scheme lets children aged 5-15 travel free in England during August [2].
In rail, the Office of Rail and Road said it decided on 13 August to pre-approve a framework track access agreement allowing Virgin Trains to operate up to 20 new daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam from 1 October 2030 to 31 December 2040 [4]. The Cotswold Journal noted that thousands more homes could be built near railway stations under major new planning changes, while pubs would get extra protection from being converted into flats or shops [1].
Sources
- Cotswold Journal: Living near a railway station? Major change is coming with new government plans
- Cotswold Journal: Free bus travel for children could cut the cost of summer days out for families
- Wiltshire Times: Swindon and Wiltshire bus company announces higher fare prices and ticket changes
- Office of Rail and Road news: Green light for Virgin Trains international services
- Department for Transport GOV.UK activity: Free bus travel 24/7 for disabled people as Prime Minister takes further action to ease cost of living
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