Mayor launches free bus travel for parents this October half-term

Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, is offering parents free bus rides to help cut the cost of keeping children busy this half-term.

Parents and carers can apply for a Swift travel card pre-loaded with free bus travel between Monday, October 27 and Sunday, November 2 as part of the region’s ongoing campaign to get more people to try buses.

Those who take up the free deal will also be offered a 25% discount on a further week’s free travel.

This follows earlier giveaways including free evening bus travel in the run up to last Christmas and a try-before-you-buy incentive scheme for key workers.

Mayor Richard Parker said: “At a time when family budgets are stretched, I am delighted to offer a free half-term on the buses. This will make it cheaper, easier and greener to take the kids out for the day – perhaps for Halloween or even a fireworks display.

“And while we do that, we are busy bringing our buses back under public control, improving services and creating a transport system that works better for everyone.”

The offer is part of a £20 million passenger incentive programme, funded by Government through the Bus Service Improvement Plan, to encourage more people to use the bus.

The offer is available for new and lapsed bus users travelling with a child. Applications will be open from Monday, October 6 through the TfWM website.