Free bus travel for kids across the East Riding in August
Families travelling across the East Riding this summer will benefit from free bus travel for children, with the region’s two bus operators both signing up to the Government’s ‘Great British Summer Savings Scheme’.
The Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire has also gone a step further and funded a 50% discount on travel for 16-19-year-olds on services provided by Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire Buses.
Between Saturday, August 1 and Monday, August 31, every child aged five to 15, boarding a bus in East Yorkshire, will travel for free, while anyone aged 16-to-19 will travel at half price by simply asking for a ‘Mayor’s Fares’ ticket.
These initiatives will allow parents, carers and guardians to plan days out, visit loved ones and make the most of the holidays without the added financial pressure.
No registration or travel card is required; children can simply board East Yorkshire and Stagecoach East Midlands buses at no cost, with a £1.50 single or £3 return the most an under 20 will pay when boarding a bus in the HEYCA region.
Any parent, carer or guardian over the age of 20 will also pay no more than £3 for a single journey because of the current Government fare cap.
Matt Kitchin, managing director of East Yorkshire, said: “We're delighted to take part in this money-saving initiative for kids to travel free, giving the opportunity to visit the many brilliant destinations we serve by bus across Hull and East Yorkshire. It's a great opportunity to get out and explore our region during the summer holidays and mum and dad can join in with journeys for a maximum of £3 a trip for adults.”
Luke Campbell MBE, mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said: “I am excited that our region’s bus operators have signed up to offer free bus travel for children throughout August.
“This is great news for families across the region, but I want to go one step further.
“Throughout the whole of August, through a Mayor’s Fare ticket, anyone aged over 15 but under 20, can travel half price.
“This will help keep costs down and allow our residents to travel across the region and access all the great places, activities and events we have to offer.
“Money can be a challenge over the summer holidays, so I am thrilled to announce a heavily discounted ticket for the bus network.”
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure, tourism and planning at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This is a fantastic money-saver for local families during the summer holidays, which is a costly time of year.
“This is an ideal opportunity for them to ditch the car and hop on a bus to explore more of our wonderful region.
“There is so much to see and do in the East Riding right now, like our Kids Go Wild programme at local nature reserves, the Summer of Fun activities at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, and the superb beaches on our coastline and all the events taking place there, such as Race The Waves.”