Young People Urge Brighton And Hove Council To Fund Free Bus Travel For Under-19s

Young people in Brighton and Hove are calling on the city council to find a way to fund free bus travel for under-19s, with more than 2,500 people backing the campaign.

The petition was debated at a full council meeting on Thursday 18 December, where members of the Brighton and Hove Youth Council addressed councillors directly.

Introducing the petition, King’s School pupil Robert Sales, 15, said the campaign had strong backing from young people across the city.

Varndean College student Megan Stubbs, 17, told councillors that most of the 2,514 signatures were from young people, with wider community support too.

She said public transport was a lifeline, providing access to education and a safe way home, particularly at night.

She added that the cost of travel can act as a barrier during the cost-of-living crisis and argued free transport should be a priority for a city that aims to support all young people.

Naomi Hudson, 17, a student at BHASVIC, urged the council to work with partners to explore options for free travel, especially with the voting age set to fall to 16.

She said affordable transport was essential to ensuring equality of opportunity for young people facing disadvantage.

Blatchington Mill pupil Edie Oakman, 15, pointed to schemes in London and Scotland, saying no young person should face barriers to education because of travel costs.

Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said he supported the aims of the petition and was happy to meet youth council members to discuss the issue further.

He said affordable bus services reduce inequality, cut car use, and improve access to opportunities.

Green councillor Sue Shanks said she would like to see a nationally funded scheme, noting that London’s funding model offers advantages for families who cannot afford bus passes.

Conservative councillor Alistair McNair raised concerns about affordability, pointing to other council savings and questioning whether the city could fund free travel.

He also suggested the petition may be linked to reducing car use and carbon emissions.

The council has not yet made a decision on whether it will pursue free bus travel for under-19s.