The West of England’s free bus travel scheme, which allowed residents to travel free on buses throughout their birthday month, has been discontinued quietly by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
Introduced in August 2023, the birthday bus pass covered Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset. Eligible residents could register for a pass granting unlimited free bus travel during their birthday month. In its first year, approximately 72,000 people obtained passes, making a total of 1.17 million journeys. Some users took advantage of the offer with over 200 rides in a single birthday month.
Despite its initial popularity, the scheme faced criticism, with some labeling it a gimmick. A task group also highlighted that the benefits appeared to favor wealthier residents more than those from lower-income backgrounds. The scheme’s funding came from WECA and North Somerset Council.
READ MORE: Chew Valley Faces Threat of Losing All Timetabled Bus Services Again
READ MORE: M5 in Somerset to Close Overnight for Essential Repairs Over Two Weeks
In late 2025, WECA confirmed in a brief statement that the birthday bus scheme had ended, citing a decline in new users and increasing financial pressures as reasons for not continuing it. This announcement was buried at the bottom of a press release, drawing little public attention.
Former West of England Mayor Dan Norris, who championed the scheme and called it his main achievement, emphasized its role in encouraging public transport use and helping those reliant on buses during the cost of living crisis. However, Mr. Norris’s legacy has been overshadowed by serious legal allegations, including arrests on suspicion of rape, misconduct, and other offenses. He denies all allegations and remains on conditional police bail.
Following the birthday bus pass’s end, current West of England Mayor Helen Godwin has introduced a “Kids Go Free” initiative, offering children aged 5 to 15 free bus travel during school holidays. Early results show a 30% increase in trips during the summer holidays and a 50% increase over Christmas.
WECA has secured a £42.4 million government grant for bus services over the next three years. Of this, £9.9 million is earmarked for fare initiatives including the child fare cap and the children’s free travel program.
However, some rural residents have expressed concern that resources should focus on maintaining supported bus routes vital for those communities. Fiona Gourley, rural transport lead for Bath and North East Somerset Council, stressed, “It is only good if you actually have a bus,” underscoring the importance of reliable service over fare discounts.