Young Adults who have been in care to receive free bus travel in Watford

Young Adults aged 18-25 who have experienced life in care will now be able to travel free of charge under new decision from Hertfordshire County Council.

Hertfordshire County Council have announced on the 24th February that young people aged 18-25 who have experienced being brought up in care at some period or all of their childhood and adolescence will now have their bus travel fully funded, including all buses in the Watford Town Centre.

The scheme aims to start in early March, which will then be trialed for 12 months, to see if it truly makes a difference for helping care-experienced people with funds and opportunities. Those eligible will be able to use the existing Intalink App to provide a 100% discount on Connect Tickets, providing unlimited travel on all buses operating in Hertfordshire. 

This comes after news that the council would be extending an existing council tax support scheme for care leavers in late February, after councillors have equally agreed that supporting parents and young children in care would remain a priority going forward under the 'corporate parenting strategy.'  

Leader of the Hertfordshire County Council, commented: 

" Every Young Person, whether they are care experienced or not, deserves every chance to thrive, and as a council that is firmly on their side we're commitied to removing barriers that stand in their way. Free bus travel does exactly that, opening up opportunities for work, education and connection, helping young people build the confident, independent futures they deserve.

Through our transport priorities to improve and modernise Hertfordshire's bus network, we're investing bus service improvement funding to make services more accessible, sustainable, and responsive to resident's needs. This scheme is a powerful example of how we can use that investment to support those who need it most, ensuring every young person stepping into adulthood feels supported and able to reach their full potential." 

The scheme will run until March 2027, after which the council will evaluate whether to make the change permanent across the county.