50% increase on Young Person’s discounted bus fare scheme still offers "outstanding value".

Residents across Central Bedfordshire are being reminded that the popular Young Person’s (YP) Card scheme will continue to offer excellent value for money, despite a fare increase of 50% coming into effect later this year.

From 1 September, the cost of a single bus journey using a YP Card will change from £1 to £1.50. The scheme will still provide significantly discounted travel for young people, with fares remaining at half the national bus fare cap, which is currently £3.

Since its launch in July 2024, the YP Card scheme has proved extremely successful, with more than 7,000 cards issued and over 500,000 discounted journeys made across Central Bedfordshire and beyond.

The YP Card scheme is funded through a combination of Government funding and significant investment from Central Bedfordshire Council. Since the scheme launched, the council has invested more than £740,000 to subsidise journeys by covering the difference between the discounted fare and the standard ticket price. The fare update will help the available funding go further, allowing the scheme to continue providing heavily discounted travel for young people while the council continues to seek future Government funding to build on its success.

Cllr Tracey Wye, Executive Member for Sustainability said:

Cllr Tracey Wye, Executive Member for Sustainability, said:

“The YP Card has been an outstanding success, with hundreds of thousands of journeys already made by young people across Central Bedfordshire and beyond. We’ve invested significantly in the scheme because we know affordable public transport makes a real difference to young people’s education, employment and social opportunities.

“Even with the updated fare, the YP Card continues to offer outstanding value at just £1.50 per journey – around half the national fare cap. This change will help the funding available for the scheme go further, allowing us to continue supporting affordable travel while we work with Government and make the case for additional funding so even more young people can benefit in the future.”

The YP Card remains valid on all bus journeys starting or finishing within Central Bedfordshire, offering a simple and cost-effective option for young people travelling to school, work or social activities.

The council will be undertaking a communications campaign in the lead-up to the change to ensure all cardholders and residents are aware, including updates to the website and information displayed on buses and at bus stops.

The Government has also announced a nationwide initiative that could allow children aged five to 15 to travel free on participating local buses during August, with no registration required. Full details are still being confirmed, including which local bus operators may take part and further information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.