Free Bus Passes for Youngsters and Families in Kent This Summer!
Attention all schoolkids and families in Kent! From July 23 to August 31, every young person in school Years 6 to 13 can grab a free bus pass to explore the county during the school holidays. This pass works on Stagecoach, Arriva, and other Kent County Council subsidised bus services. Perfect for getting out and about without spending a penny on travel!
How to Get Your Reconnect Bus Pass
By the end of the school year, state school and college students in Years 6 to 13 should have already received their Reconnect digital bus pass. If you haven’t, don’t worry! From July 20 onwards, you can:
- Download a digital pass online
- Pick up a printed pass at local collection points
And it’s not just state school kids who benefit. If you’re aged 11 to 18 and attend independent school or are home-educated, you’re also eligible for a free pass. Click here to find out how to claim yours.
Family Pass Offers a Free Ride for Four
This summer, families can hop on with the Family Bus Ticket – it allows up to four family members to travel for free, as long as there’s at least one adult and one child travelling together. Digital and printed passes will be available from July 20, but be quick as supplies are limited!
Both Young Person’s and Family Passes can be used as often as you like on bus routes inside Kent. Just remember, they don’t work in Medway, East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey, or London’s transport zones.
Where to Pick Up Your Bus Pass
Need a printed pass? Visit one of the handy collection points around Kent from July 20:
- Ashford: Ashford Gateway & Ashford Willow Centre, Brookfield Road, TN23 4EY
- Canterbury: Beaney Library & Canterbury Poppy Children’s Centre, Kings Road, Herne Bay CT6 5RG
- Dartford: Dartford Public Library & Dartford Brent Children’s Centre, 43-15 Overy Street DA1 1AH
- Dover: The Discovery Centre & Dover Buckland & Whitfield Children’s Centre, St Nicholas Church, The Lines CT16 2BN
- Folkestone and Hythe: Folkestone Public Library & Folkestone & Hythe Youth Hub, Dover Road CT20 1QF
- Gravesham: Gravesend Public Library & Northfleet Youth Hub, Hall Road DA11 8AJ
- Maidstone: Maidstone History and Library Centre & Maidstone Infozone, 3 Palace Avenue ME15 6NF
- Sevenoaks: Kaleidoscope of Sevenoaks & Swanley Youth Hub, St Mary’s Road BR8 7BU
- Sittingbourne: Sittingbourne Public Library & Swale Milton Court Centre, Brewery Road ME10 2EE
- Thanet: Gateway to Margate & Thanet Youth Hub, Quarterdeck, Zion Place CT9 1RP
- Tonbridge: Tonbridge Public Library & Tonbridge & Malling Youth Hub, Avebury Avenue TN9 1TG
- Tunbridge Wells: Southborough Library at Southborough Hub & Tunbridge Wells Youth Hub, 39a Grove Hill Road TN1 1SD
Pass Rules – What You Need to Know
Young Person’s Bus Pass
- Available for all young people in Years 6 to 13 who live or attend school in Kent
- Valid from July 23 to August 31, 2022
- Passes cannot be used on or after 9pm
- Only for travel within Kent county boundaries
- Passes are non-transferable to other youngsters
Family Bus Pass
- Open to all Kent residents
- Valid July 23 to August 31, 2022
- Allows four family members to travel free: either one adult + three children or two adults + two children
- Extra passengers need separate tickets
- Passes can be passed between adults in the same household but not shared with other families
- An adult must travel with a child, and vice versa
- Bus boarding after 9pm is not allowed with these passes
KCC’s Message: Get Out and Enjoy Kent This Summer
“Keeping children and young people busy and active during the school holidays benefits their minds as well as their bodies,” said Shellina Prendergast, KCC Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.
“The free summer Young Person’s bus pass offers a fantastic chance for youngsters to get out and enjoy themselves as soon as the holiday starts.”
“There are loads of free, fun activities across Kent, and these passes unlock them all without the hassle of travel costs. Huge thanks to Kent’s bus companies for backing this initiative once again.”
This summer offer is part of Reconnect: Kent Children and Young People, a campaign running from March to August that helps kids catch up on learning, rediscover their favourite activities, and find exciting new ones post-pandemic.
