Brighton & Hove's free bus pass for care leavers aged 18 to 24 now runs until 31 March 2027. Those signed up made 3,270 journeys in five weeks.

Free bus travel for young care leavers in Brighton & Hove will carry on until 31 March 2027. The council started it in September as a short trial, and has extended it after strong take-up.

The council announced the extension on Thursday. When we reported the first figures last week, it had not said whether the passes would continue.

The figures so far

  • 116 care leavers aged 18 to 24 have signed up, around 40% of those eligible.
  • They made 3,270 bus journeys in the first five weeks.
  • That is about 9 to 10 journeys each a week.

Research during the pilot found that cost was by far the biggest barrier to using buses, the council said. Almost everyone taking part said travel costs affected how often they could get on one.

One care leaver quoted by the council said the pass had helped them “go to job interviews and finally get around more”. Another said it had let them attend appointments “without worrying so much about the cost of transport”.

Who pays for it

The passes are funded by the Department for Transport’s Local Authority Bus Grant. The council says the extra months will also let it gather evidence on the longer-term effects of the scheme.

Councillor Trevor Muten, the cabinet member for transport, said: “For many care leavers, the cost of travel can be a real barrier. Giving free access to buses helps people get to work, education, training and appointments.”

Councillor Bella Sankey, the leader of the council, said she wanted “everyone who is eligible for this scheme to hear about it and take it up”.

What it means for you

The pass is a free monthly bus pass. According to the council’s care leavers bus pass page, you may be eligible if you:

  • are a Brighton & Hove City Council care leaver
  • are aged 18 to 24 (you still get a full pass for the month you turn 25)
  • live in Brighton & Hove
  • do not already get a council-funded bus travel offer

The same page explains how to sign up. If you are eligible and not yet on the scheme, there are now more than four months of free travel left to claim.