Can children travel free on buses? Ticket rules and fees explained

BUSES can be enough of a pain without paying more than you have to for your kids’ fare.

Check out our handy guide to make sure that you and your family don’t pay over the odds.

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Can children travel free on trains?

All children aged five and under can go free on all buses in the UK, provided they’re with a fare-paying passenger.

But children over five years old will face different rules depending on bus operators.

Where you reside in the UK will also have an effect on who’s eligible for free bus travel.

What’s the child ticket age limit?

Transport for London which run’s the city’s bus services allow all kids aged between 0 and 10 can travel free of charge.

Children aged between 11 and 15 can also travel on buses for free as long as they have a Zip Oyster photocard.

In Scotland, everyone under the age of 22 can travel for free on buses with a Free Bus Pass.

Bus operators like Stagecoach and First Bus who operate services in different regions of the UK only allow children under five to travel for free.

Check with your local operator to find out if your children are eligible for free bus travel.

What happens if you’re caught with the wrong ticket?

Again any penalties issued will depend entirely on which bus operator you use and where you live.

For example, if a child aged 16 or over travels on an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard they face an £80 fine.

But if the fine is paid within 21 days the overall penalty is reduced to £40.

In Wales, First Cymru charges those on the wrong ticket £20.

The penalty charge has to be paid within 10 days.

Other bus operators like Stagecoach say that customers travelling on the wrong ticket will be liable to prosecution.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk