From September, students in Rhondda Cynon Taf will face changes to school transport. Free buses will end for many living 3+ miles from school. Instead, they’ll have to walk or pay £1 each way.
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£1 fares and £3 day passes will help young people travel for work, college, and leisure across Wales.
But it won’t replace dedicated school buses, meaning safety, reliability & costs now fall on families—especially those already struggling.
From November, kids aged 5–15 will also get cheaper fares, but there’s a gap at the start of term.
We support cheaper public transport, but is it fair to replace free essential school transport with a pay-as-you-go system?
What do you think?
Below Welsh Government press release
7 May 2026 Welsh Government elections. Time for change after 26 years of Labour dominance backed up by Plaid Cymru
£1 bus fares for young people from September
Single fares will cost just £1 and there will be £3 day passes available too. It will allow young people to enjoy unlimited travel with any participating bus services from 1 September for a year.
The Welsh Government will extend the scheme to 5 to 15-year-olds from November. Existing reduced fares for children will apply until then.
Sixteen 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.
More information on how the scheme will work is available at mytravelpass.
Speaking at the launch event at Newport Bus Station, First Minister, Eluned Morgan will say:
Cutting the cost of travel for young people and providing better transport for all is one of our top priorities. We are delivering our promises to young people across Wales.
This investment will make a real difference to communities all over Wales, but especially in rural areas.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates will say:
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 21 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 5 to 15-years-olds from November.
£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 Budget deal with the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds.
The Welsh Government will invest a further £7m to extend the scheme to 5 to 15-year-olds, from 3 November.
The scheme will be voluntary for bus operators.
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