Free bus pass rule comes into force for over 14million people across England TODAY

FREE bus passes are set to be given out to 14million people across England today. The new travel rule aims to ease the cost-of-living pressures on families over the summer. Millions of Brits will be given free bus travel from today in a new summer scheme Credit: Alamy Children will be entitled to free bus travel for a whole month from today, as the Government rolls out a new scheme to help parents this summer. For the entirety of August, most under-16s will not have to pay for travel on the majority of local buses. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Introduced by Rachel Reeves earlier this year, the scheme hopes to relieve cost-of-living pressures on parents during the school break. With standard child fares costing £1 to £2, families can cut travel costs on all participating English buses. The deal joins part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which has seen VAT cut for a number of activities. This includes discounts on children’s meals at restaurants, children’s theatre, cinema tickets, theme parks and adventure centres. The free bus fare also offers travel to York Dungeon, Windsor Castle, and the National Space Centre – venues that are all part of the VAT scheme. Last week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that he would reintroduce a £2 cap on bus fares for all passengers from the beginning of next year, a reduction of £1 on the current cap. Most read in Money Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said when the scheme was announced: “We’re giving families room to breathe from the cost-of-living squeeze. “With free bus travel for five to 15-year-olds and discounts on kids’ meals at restaurants, cinema tickets and theme parks, we’re helping people make the most of the time they have together for the school holidays. “Not only are we lowering costs for the summer, the £2 bus fare cap will help all passengers get to where they need to for less.” Children aged between five and 15 will be entitled to free bus travel on participating services between August 1 and August 31, with under fives offered free travel already. Comment now