Families travelling across Hull and the East Riding this summer will benefit from free bus travel for children, with the region’s two bus operators both signing up to the Government’s ‘Great British Summer Savings Scheme’.
The Mayor has also gone a step further and funded a 50% discount on travel for 16–19-year-olds on services provided by Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire.
Between Saturday 1 and Monday 31 August 2026, every child aged five to 15, boarding a bus in East Yorkshire, will travel for free, while anyone aged 16-to-19 will travel at half price by simply asking for a ‘Mayor’s Fares’ ticket. These initiatives will allow parents, carers and guardians to plan days out, visit loved ones and make the most of the holidays without the added financial pressure.
No registration or travel card is required; children can simply board Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire buses at no cost, with a £1.50 single or £3 return the most an under 20 will pay when boarding an East Yorkshire or Stagecoach East Midlands bus in the HEYCA region. Any parent, carer or guardian over the age of 20 will also pay no more than £3 for a single journey because of the current Government fare cap.
Matt Kitchin, managing director of East Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to take part in this money-saving initiative for kids to travel free, giving the opportunity to visit the many brilliant destinations we serve by bus across Hull and East Yorkshire. It’s a great opportunity to get out and explore our region during the summer holidays and mum and dad can join in with journeys for a maximum of £3 a trip for adults.”
Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, added: “Our team play an essential role in ensuring that local people can get where they need to go, so we are looking forward to welcoming even more customers on board this August.
“We’re making it even easier for families to leave the car at home and enjoy a great value day out. This shows how public transport can play an important role in connecting communities with all the fun and popular attractions that our region has to offer, and we hope lots of people will take advantage of this opportunity over the coming weeks.”
The fare initiatives are also a practical way of getting more people using public transport and as a sustainable way for people to travel and attend a wide variety of activities and events planned across East Yorkshire during the summer holidays.
Luke Campbell MBE, mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said: “I am excited that our region’s bus operators have signed up to offer free bus travel for children throughout August.
“This is great news for families across the region, but I want to go one step further.
“Throughout the whole of August, through a Mayor’s Fare ticket, anyone aged over 15 but under 20, can travel half price.
“This will help keep costs down and allow our residents to travel across the region and access all the great places, activities and events we have to offer.
“Money can be a challenge over the summer holidays, so I am thrilled to announce a heavily discounted ticket for the bus network.”
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure at Hull City Council said: “Enabling children to travel for free by bus across our city during the summer is fantastic news and will really help families with the cost of living.
“We are delighted that Stagecoach and East Yorkshire are participating in the scheme, as there is so much to see and do in Hull during August, from activities in our extensive Healthy Holidays Hull programme right through to events like Dino Day and the Hull Maritime Summer Festival.
“Discounted travel for young people, aged 16-to-19, will also be a real benefit and help keep costs down during the summer.
“Getting around by bus is convenient, cost-effective and helps create a healthier and fairer Hull.”
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure, tourism and planning at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This is a fantastic money-saver for local families during the summer holidays, which is a costly time of year.
“This is an ideal opportunity for them to ditch the car and hop on a bus to explore more of our wonderful region.
“There is so much to see and do in the East Riding right now, like our Kids Go Wild programme at local nature reserves, the Summer of Fun activities at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, and the superb beaches on our coastline and all the events taking place there, such as Race The Waves.”