Free bus travel for children returns to the West of England for Christmas
Under-16s across the region can travel for free between 20th December and 4th January
Last updated 3rd Dec 2025
Families across Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire are set to benefit from free bus travel for children aged 5-15 over the festive period.
The Kids Go Free initiative will return from 20th December to 4th January, allowing children to hop aboard buses without needing a bus pass or registration.
The programme, funded through the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority using £13.5 million secured from the Department for Transport, previously ran during the summer holidays.
Over seven weeks, it enabled more than 910,000 free journeys and saved families nearly £1 million.
This summer, Kids Go Free contributed to a boost in footfall and spending across the region’s towns, cities, and attractions. Radstock, Bath, Midsomer Norton, Yate and Chipping Sodbury all saw notable increases in consumer spending, with Bristol experiencing a 3.5% year-on-year rise in non-essential expenditure during August, according to BID data.
Kathryn Davis, CEO of Visit West, welcomed the return of the Christmas scheme, saying: “This offer will enable local people to make the most of the exciting Christmas events and experiences taking place across the region.”
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Kids Go Free is back! After 910,000 free journeys for under-16s this summer, putting almost £1 million back in people’s pockets, the return of our regional initiative will spread some Christmas cheer and help families at what’s often an expensive time of year.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, added: “This initiative demonstrates how sustainable travel can deliver real benefits for residents, businesses and the environment.”
How it works
The initiative applies to all registered commercial and supported bus services starting within the four local council areas, with limited exemptions such as airport services.
The programme also arrives amidst efforts by the Mayor to address child poverty. A child poverty action plan is expected in December alongside targeted engagement with schools and youth groups in areas like Hartcliffe and Barton Hill to understand the scheme's local impact.