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Labour counters Green call for free buses with £1 youth fare plan

Labour councillors in Swindon have proposed capping bus fares at £1 for young people, amid a wider debate over the future of local transport costs.

bySwindon 24
7 March 2026 • 7.36am
Labour counters Green call for free buses with £1 youth fare plan
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The plan, put forward by the Swindon Labour Group, will be discussed at a meeting of Swindon Borough Council.

It would see fares capped at £1 for residents aged 11 to 21 and extend evening concessionary travel for older people.

The move comes after we reported recently that the Green Party locally backed a national pledge for free bus travel for everyone under 22. That policy has been championed by the Green Party’s leader Zack Polanski.

Labour’s proposal stops short of free travel and instead focuses on a reduced flat fare.

Labour leader Jim Robbins said:

“Labour is stepping up with practical, targeted proposals that will make a real difference for young people across Swindon.

“A £1 fare cap is a simple, affordable intervention that removes barriers and widens opportunity.”

Figures referenced in the motion suggest bus use in Swindon remains about 23.5% lower than it was in 2010.

Labour says lower fares could help boost passenger numbers and make it easier for young people to access education, apprenticeships and early employment.

The motion also calls for free evening bus pass access for older residents to be extended beyond the current 11pm cut-off.

Supporters argue this would allow pensioners to attend evening activities without losing their concessionary travel.

If approved, the council would begin a feasibility study into the financial and operational impact of introducing the £1 fare.

This would include discussions with operators such as Stagecoach Group and Go-Ahead Group, which runs services locally through Swindon’s Bus Company.

The motion is expected to be debated at an upcoming meeting of Swindon Borough Council.

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Comments 1

  1. Dave Wallington says:
    8 months ago

    I did not know Swindon had declared UDI and joined the rest of Europe by moving to driving on the left!

    Of course, it might be that you have no idea what a bus looks like and certainly didn’t check before using that picture’

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