Largest operator in Thames Valley providing free bus travel throughout August

The largest bus operator in the Thames Valley will be providing free bus travel for children throughout the whole of August as part of a government scheme.

Go Thames Valley, which includes Oxford Bus Company, Carousel Buses, Pulhams and Thames Travel, is taking part in the initiative.

From 1st to 31st August, children aged between five and 15 can travel free on participating bus services as part of the government’s Great British Summer Savings campaign.

The initiative will help families enjoy affordable days out across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and beyond.

Luke Marion, Managing Director of Go Thames Valley, said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in this scheme for children during the summer holidays, allowing families to get around for less.

“Families can travel sustainably and visit a range of places from charming villages to city breaks, while youngsters seeking some independence over the summer are able to travel safely across our network.

“For adults looking to keep prices down, we’re also continuing to offer the current £3 fare cap across our services.”

Go Thames Valley already provides a range of cost-effective initiatives for young passengers, including the CityZone ‘Get Around for £1’ scheme in Oxford.

Available to passengers aged 18 and under who hold a Get Around Card, the initiative allows travel on CityZone routes for just £1 and has helped make bus travel more affordable for young people since its launch in 2017.

Discounted travel for young people aged 18 and under is available for season and multi-trip tickets via the mobile app and key card scheme, while Oxfordshire County Council offers a MyBus ticket which covers all bus services in the county.

Across the Go Thames Valley network, both City Sightseeing Oxford and Pearces Coaches are providing family-friendly activities to enjoy this summer.

For a limited time, City Sightseeing Oxford’s family ticket is available for £49 and includes two adults and three children. The attraction has also partnered with six leading attractions for its biggest Passport Trail yet, allowing families to collect stamps, take part in fun activities, and earn a prize certificate.

Pearces has also launched its Cotswolds mystery tour, alongside other family trips in August including the Natural History Museum, Thorpe Park, and Bournemouth.

Free travel via the government scheme is eligible for children under 11 when accompanied by someone aged over 16. Services operated by Go Thames Valley including the airline and The Robin are excluded from the free travel initiative.