Take the Bus campaign encourages older people to make the most of free bus travel
- new campaign launched to encourage older people to use their free bus pass to meet friends and family, rediscover local attractions and get their ‘culture fix from 66’
- drive to increase bus travel will boost wellbeing of older and disabled people, support sustainable bus services and help grow the economy
- latest statistics show a 36% drop in bus usage since 2019 for concessionary passholders, sparking move to encourage eligible people to get out and about for free
Older and eligible disabled people are being urged to make the most of free bus travel to meet friends, connect with nature and visit new places this summer, through a new government campaign launched.
The new ‘Take the Bus’ campaign is targeting people aged 66 and above, and disabled people who are eligible for a concessionary pass, to encourage them to use the free bus travel available.
The move comes as statistics show concessionary journeys are down by more than a third since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign reminds passholders of the benefits of using bus travel, including staying active, visiting new places, taking up hobbies and seeing friends and family – while saving money on travel. The new adverts encourage pass holders to ‘Take the Bus’, with posters and social media assets made available for local authorities, bus companies and others to customise, co-brand and use in their area.
Along with the government’s £2 bus fare cap scheme, the campaign aims to get more people using the bus to help reduce congestion and emissions while supporting the bus industry and helping grow the economy.
Thanks to the free bus fare scheme, concessionary pass holders around the country can access great days out for free. People can leave the car at home and grab one of Stagecoach’s frequent ‘triangle’ routes to Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, or hop on the Coastliner 840 from Leeds to Whitby, voted England’s most scenic bus route for its incredible views across the North York Moors National Park.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
We want those eligible to embrace all the benefits their concessionary pass can bring, with free bus travel allowing them to enjoy great trips out – all they need to do is ‘take the bus’.
Around £1 billion a year of central and local government funding goes towards concessionary passes to help older and disabled people get out and about while saving them money and helping grow the economy.
As part of the Help for Households campaign, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is promoting free and low-cost events happening across England for those looking for affordable activities over the summer. People can find out what’s happening near them using this new interactive map – from discounted cinema tickets to free museum exhibitions, accessible via the concessionary bus passes available.
Alongside the campaign, councils spend around £1 billion on concessionary travel, provided through government funding from the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to enable local authorities to provide free travel via local bus operators to elderly and disabled concessionary pass holders.
This is in addition to the recently announced long-term bus funding to support and improve bus services, including £200 million to continue capping single fares outside of London at £2 until 31 October 2023 and then £2.50 until 30 November 2024, as well as £300 million to protect bus services across the country.
