Brighton and Hove children with free bus passes face fewer restrictions

Brighton and Hove children who have a free bus pass can now use it at weekends and during the school holidays.

They will be given a smartcard called the Key under a deal between Brighton and Hove City Council and Brighton and Hove Buses.

Previously children were restricted to using their bus passes on schooldays .

The new scheme means that they can travel free anywhere on the Brighton and Hove Buses network in the evenings, at weekends and in the school holidays.

Pupils will also qualify for cheaper fares in the summer holidays next year.

Councillor Sue Shanks, the chairman of the council’s Children and Young People Committee, said: “These young people will now be able to stay on at the end of the school day for activities or extra study and travel home free.

“We hope it will also encourage them to get out and about in the city at weekends and holidays.

“Many people whose children have free passes are on low incomes. This agreement is giving them a better deal and I’d like to thank the bus company for the way they have worked with us on it.”

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said: “We recognise that young people at school are our future adult customers and we also recognise the pressures on finances all round.

“We are delighted to have been able to provide this additional flexibility for young people and add to our range of family-focused discounts on the Key smartcard by reaching this agreement with the council.”