Plans to give free bus travel to under-22s across England have been scrapped, with ministers blaming a lack of funding.
Officials confirmed on Friday that no money has been set aside for the scheme in the current spending plans, which run until 2028/29.
The idea had been backed by MPs on the Transport Committee, who said free travel would help young people reach work and education more easily.
The decision marks a major shift from the committee’s vision, which was modelled on Scotland’s existing scheme that gives free bus journeys to everyone aged between five and 22.
The Transport Committee’s chair, Ruth Cadbury, has condemned the Department for Transport for demonstrating insufficient ambition in their response to the proposal.
“Throughout our inquiry, we heard about the consequences of poor connectivity,” the Labour MP stated. “Young people unable to get their first jobs or taking exhausting journeys to reach school or college.”
She highlighted additional impacts including elderly and disabled residents experiencing isolation and depression, whilst local high streets suffer from reduced footfall.
“It is hard to shake the feeling that an opportunity may be missed, particularly to improve services in rural and underserved communities,” Cadbury added.
The committee had positioned the free travel initiative as a crucial intervention to address connectivity challenges that disproportionately affect younger residents seeking employment or pursuing education in areas with limited transport options.
Young residents have expressed frustration at the announcement, with 22-year-old Gracie Moore from Slough revealing she currently pays £120 monthly for bus travel to her workplace.
“It would have been so beneficial, considering that under 22s are so negatively impacted by inflation,” Moore told the BBC, describing the government’s stance as “disappointing.”
She emphasised that younger generations already struggle with housing affordability and rising living costs, making the potential savings from free travel particularly valuable.
Young people already struggle with housing affordability and rising living costs, making the potential savings from free travel particularly valuable
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The rejected proposal contrasts sharply with Scotland’s approach, where complimentary bus travel for those aged five to 22 has operated successfully since January 2022.
Scottish officials have praised their programme as essential for tackling child poverty, with connectivity minister Jim Fairlie highlighting how it helps young people reach educational and employment opportunities whilst maintaining social connections.
The wider context reveals a troubling pattern for England’s bus network, with passenger numbers declining significantly whilst ticket prices have surged beyond general inflation rates.
The rejected proposal contrasts sharply with Scotland’s approach
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Industry analysis presented to the Transport Committee indicated that the bus sector’s economic value fell by approximately £8.9billion during the period from 2011 to 2023.
Recent legislation offers limited consolation, with the Bus Services Act becoming law this week, introducing stricter obligations for operators planning service cancellations and granting local authorities enhanced powers.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander characterised the legislation as enabling local leaders to assume greater control whilst prioritising passenger interests.
However, Cadbury cautioned that whilst the new law represents progress, it should not constitute the final response to the sector’s challenges.