No free bus passes for under 22s, says government

""Throughout our inquiry we heard about the consequences of poor connectivity," Labour MP Cadbury said. "Young people unable to get their first jobs or taking exhausting journeys to reach school or college. Older and disabled people feeling isolated and depressed, and high streets starved of customers.""

""It is hard to shake the feeling that an opportunity may be missed, particularly to improve services in rural and underserved communities.""

""It would have been so beneficial, considering that under 22s are so negatively impacted by inflation," she said. "Things like buying our first house or affording bills are already difficult, so this would have taken the pressure off for us.""

The government said no funding is available to trial free bus passes for under-22s in England during the current spending review period, which runs until 2028/29. The proposal came from the Transport Committee to boost access to jobs and education. Committee chair Ruth Cadbury warned poor connectivity prevents young people reaching first jobs and forces exhausting school or college commutes, while older and disabled people face isolation and high streets lose customers. Scotland has provided free bus travel for ages five to 22 since January 2022. A 22-year-old from Slough said she pays £120 monthly and called the decision disappointing.

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