Gloucestershire buses saw surge in young passengers this summer
The Great British Summer Savings Scheme made bus travel free for children
Bus operators across Gloucestershire have reported a rise in the number of children travelling for free this summer, as part of the Government's Great British Summer Savings Scheme.
The scheme allowed children aged 5 to 15 to travel for free on participating buses throughout August, saving families money on days out.
The scheme aimed to give parents and carers 'room to breathe' during the summer holidays, a financially demanding time of year for so many.
Pulhams, a local bus company, recorded a 301% increase in child journeys compared to the previous summer.
Its 801 service between Cheltenham and Chipping Norton, and its 855 service between Bourton-on-the-Water and Cirencester, were among the routes with the strongest growth.
The data comes ahead of the government's two pound bus fare cap from January onwards.
Disabled pass holders will be able to travel for free on busses 24 hours a day from January too.