Children aged five to 15 can travel free on eligible bus services throughout August as part of a new national summer offer.
The Summer Bus Fare Offer runs from Saturday 1 August until Monday 31 August 2026 and covers participating services across England.
For families in the Stafford area, the scheme could make it cheaper to travel around the town and visit nearby places including Stone, Rugeley and Lichfield. Participating routes also provide opportunities to travel further across Staffordshire and into neighbouring areas.
Local operators taking part
Several bus companies operating services in and around Stafford are included in the scheme.
These include Chaserider, Arriva Midlands, D&G and First Potteries. Select Bus Services and a number of other operators across the West Midlands are also listed.
The offer applies to eligible routes rather than automatically covering every service operated by each company.
For example, many of Chaserider’s regular routes are included, alongside a wide range of D&G and Arriva Midlands services. First Potteries is also taking part, although some of its services are specifically excluded.
Passengers do not need to buy a child ticket for an eligible journey during the offer period.
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Check before travelling
The government has published a full list of participating bus companies and individual services.
Families should check the official Summer Bus Fare Offer page before setting out, particularly when changing buses or travelling beyond Stafford.
Although many regular local services appear to be covered, passengers should also confirm with the bus driver or operator if they are unsure.
Special event buses, school services, excursions and services provided specifically for attractions may not be included. This could include dedicated event transport or special journeys to destinations such as Alton Towers, unless the individual service is shown on the official list.
For the list for eligible buses and services click here
Routes and timetables may also change, so passengers should check the latest service information directly with the bus company.
The full list of participating services can be found on the government’s Summer Bus Fare Offer page under the West Midlands section.
Who can travel for free?
The offer applies to children aged between five and 15.
Children who are already entitled to free travel under an existing local arrangement can continue to use that entitlement as normal.
Operators may ask for proof of age, particularly where a child appears older, so families may wish to carry suitable identification when travelling.
The offer ends on Monday 31 August, after which normal child fares will apply.
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