Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to make bus travel more affordable for children and young people in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

The Government has introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire, and has extended the cap until March 2027 to help passengers continue to access affordable bus travel.

In addition, the Government is providing funding for children aged 5 to 15 to travel free on participating local bus services in England during August 2026.

The Government has also confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support and improve bus services. Staffordshire County Council will receive £33.3 million through the Local Authority Bus Grant from 2026/27 to 2028/29. This funding can be used to improve services for passengers, including introducing local fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for children and young people.