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Thousands now qualify for free bus travel under new plans

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The Department for Transport has announced a new £3 million funding boost to help local areas take control of their bus networks, with councils already rolling out free travel schemes, £1 fares and brand new routes.

The changes are part of a wider “bus revolution” aimed at cutting costs for passengers and improving access, especially in rural and lower-income areas where transport options have been limited.

Six mayoral authorities including Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority will benefit from the latest funding as they move towards a franchised system, similar to Bee Network.

Where free and cheaper bus travel is already happening

Local authorities are already using government funding to introduce eye-catching fare cuts and free travel schemes:

  • In Barnsley, under-18s can travel completely free for two years, removing the cost of school and college journeys
  • In the North East, fares for under-21s have been cut to as little as £1
  • In Liverpool, the £2 fare cap remains in place alongside new express routes
  • In parts of England, children’s fares have been frozen at £1 until 2029

At the same time, new routes are reconnecting areas that previously had no bus services at all. In Norfolk, a new link between Great Yarmouth, Caister and Norwich is connecting rural communities to jobs and education for the first time.

What the changes mean for passengers

Ministers say the investment is already delivering cheaper, more frequent and better connected services, with more improvements expected as local leaders gain greater control over routes and pricing.

Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood said: “It is an incredibly exciting time for buses at the moment with record government funding supporting new services, including to rural communities and discounted ticket offers.”

He added: “Our £3 million funding boost will help mayors take a step closer to franchising, allowing local leaders to take control of their buses to deliver for the thousands of people who rely on bus travel.”

Transport groups say the reforms could transform everyday travel, making buses more accessible and affordable for millions.

The 6 authorities benefitting from today’s (13 April 2026) tranche of £3 million funding package are:

  • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
  • North East Combined Authority
  • West Yorkshire Combined Authority
  • South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
  • West Midlands Combined Authority
  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority

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Urban Transport Group director Jason Prince said: “Buses are the backbone of our public transport system… local areas are investing in bus services like never before.”

And Bus Users UK chief executive Lydia Horbury added: “Buses are a lifeline for millions… this investment is a positive step toward creating a more integrated and affordable transport system.”

With more than £3 billion committed to bus funding between 2026 and 2029, officials say further fare cuts, free travel schemes and new routes are likely to follow.





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Crime & Safety

Tommy Robinson ‘not welcome in Oxford’ after ‘inciting riot’

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Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).

The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.

READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford

Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.

Screen grab taken from PA Video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. Vickrum Digwa was jailed at Southampton Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Digwa stabbed Henry to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife five times in the incident in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 2025. Picture date: Tuesday June 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jamie Lashmar/PA WireScreen grab taken from a video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)

Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.

He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.

“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”

Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.

He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.

Oxford protest.A previous Stand Up to Racism protest in Oxford (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene

Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.

“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions. 

“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities. 

“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”

Tommy Robinson with protestors in SouthamptonTommy Robinson with protesters outside Southampton police station (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA)

Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.

Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.

READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’

“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.

“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”

Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.





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Witney traffic chaos amid report of 'major incident' at junction

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A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.



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Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene

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An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.

At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years

An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.

Ambulance medical incident St Aldate'sAt least three ambulances responded to what appeared to be a medical emergency in St Aldate’s, Oxford (Image: Contributed)

An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.

Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.

South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.





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