Wales Launches £1 Bus Fares for 16-21-Year-Olds

The Welsh Government has launched a new pilot scheme offering bus travel for just £1 to young people aged 16 to 21 across Wales, with £3 unlimited travel day tickets also available. To access the discounted fares, eligible passengers must obtain a free mytravelpass, which verifies their age and must be presented when boarding or purchasing tickets. The scheme, funded with £15 million over two years and set to expand in November to include children aged five to 15, aims to improve young people's access to education, employment, and leisure while encouraging sustainable travel habits and reducing carbon emissions. Over 40 bus operators, including major companies like Arriva Cymru and First Cymru, participate voluntarily in the scheme, which covers most local services and some cross-border routes into England. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds and Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates highlighted the scheme's potential to tackle poverty, social isolation, and climate change by making transport more affordable and accessible for youth. The initiative has already seen strong interest, with over 10,000 mytravelpass applications received ahead of the launch.