Kids Go Free this Summer!
21 July 2026
Get ready for a summer of great savings when you travel by Bus!
Diamond Bus are pleased to announce that we will be taking part in the new UK Government funded “Great British Summer Savings” Scheme. As part of the scheme, Children aged 5 to 15 can travel for free on any of our bus services across our Diamond Bus & Diamond East Midlands Network during the month of August.
This great offer will run from 1st August until 31st August and will open up some great opportunities for families across the region to explore their local area and enjoy days out for less when they travel by Bus.
The UK government funded scheme aims to help reduce the cost of living and make the summer holiday period more affordable, by reducing the costs of those treats and activities we all love to do during the school holidays. The scheme also includes discounts for families at participating venues, such as restaurants, cinemas and a wide range of attractions across the area.
So whether you and your family are looking for a fun day out, catching the latest movie, enjoying a family meal or simply going for a kick about in the park there are lots of ways to spend some quality time together for less this Summer!
Who can travel?
All Children aged 5-15 inclusive are eligible to travel for free across our Diamond Bus & Diamond East Midlands Network.
Children under the age of 5 already benefit from free travel across our bus network.
Young people aged 16-18 will continue to pay the normal child fare on our services (except in Derbyshire County - see below).
If the driver cannot be sure a child is in the eligible age range, they may be required to pay a full child fare.
Children that look older than 15 years of age will be asked to verify their age and prove they are under 16, therefore we advise older children to carry some form of ID with them when they are travelling.
Free Travel for 16-18’s also available in Derbyshire County.
In addition to the national 5-15 free travel scheme, East Midland Combined Authority are also funding free travel for age 16-18 inclusive within Derbyshire County. This means, that on Diamond East Midlands services starting or ending in Derbyshire, 16-18’s can also travel for free! Proof of eligible age will also be required for this additional offer. Those unable to verify they are aged 18 or under will be charged a normal single fare.
Please Note: This additional offer is available only on the following Diamond East Midlands Derbyshire services: 4, 8, 9, 19, 19A, 19C, 21, 21E, 22, 24, 70/70A, 401
The 16-18 offer is NOT Valid on Diamond East Midlands services: 2, 6, 7/7A, 10, 12, 12E, X12, 17, 18, 20, 31/32, 66, 76/A/B/C/S, 402A, NMA, or Diamond Bus services in the West Midlands, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire or Shropshire Counties.
How do children travel for free?
There is no need to pre-register for the offer, simply ask the driver for a Free Child Ticket for the correct number of eligible children travelling. Children will be issued with a QR Code Free ticket, which they should retain and scan each time they board throughout the day.
Children should only be required to prove their age on their first journey of the day, as long as they scan their QR Free ticket each time they board that day. They may be asked to verify their age on subsequent days in order to obtain a new free ticket.
Older children who are under the age of 16 (or aged 16-18 in Derbyshire) do not need to be accompanied by a fare paying adult and may travel independently, however they may be requested to prove their age in order to travel for free. Carrying ID is recommended.
Acceptable forms of ID:
In West Midlands Region, a Green Swift photocard is valid ID for aged 15 or under.
In Derbyshire an orange b_line1 card is valid ID for aged 11-15 inclusive. A purple b_line2 card is valid ID for aged 16-18 inclusive.
A CitizenCard proof of age ID, or passport is a valid form of ID, In the absence of these, other forms of ID stating Date of Birth (such as Birth Certificate) can be accepted.
We look forward to welcoming you on board this Summer and hope that lots of families make the most of the opportunity to get out and explore what the local area has to offer by bus for less.
Please note that Diamond Bus South East Services are not eligible for this offer and normal fares apply to services in Surrey.
For Diamond North West customers travelling in Greater Manchester, please visit the Bee Network website for details of local scheme
To find out more about the UK wide “Great British Summer Savings” Scheme visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/great-british-summer-savings-vat-slashed-to-save-families-money-on-days-out
