Impact on young people and families
Independence for Young People
Respondents to the follow-up survey were asked whether the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had allowed them/their child to travel and do more without an adult. Of the 7,961 who answered the question, over two thirds (69%) said this had allowed them to do so more independently, 20% indicated that it had not made a difference because their child was too young, and 10% felt it had not made a difference. The remaining 1% did not know.
Table 10 outlines the results by the age of the young person. This shows that those of primary school age (5-11 years old) were most likely to indicate that there had been no impact in this respect because the child was too young. Conversely, those aged 12-23 were all more likely to feel that the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had made them more independent.
| Response | Age 5-11 | Age 12-15 | Age 16-21 | Age 22-23 | Total | Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 20% | 83% | 86% | 76% | 69% | 58% |
| Not yet, still too young | 72% | 7% | 1% | 3% | 20% | 23% |
| Not made a difference | 7% | 9% | 12% | 17% | 10% | 17% |
| Don't know | 1% | 1% | 1% | 4% | 1% | 2% |
| Total (n) | 1,945 | 2,714 | 3,164 | 137 | 7,960 | 15,198 |
When compared to the baseline survey results, where respondents were asked about their expectations in this respect, the actual increase in young people’s independence had been greater than expected. In the baseline survey, 58% expected that the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme would have an immediate impact on their child’s ability to travel and do more without an adult, while 69% felt this had happened in the follow-up survey, representing an increase of 11 percentage points.
Qualitative feedback also highlighted independence for young people as one of the key benefits/impacts of the scheme.
Many respondents discussed the increased independence, autonomy, confidence and responsibility the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had given them/their child. It was considered to have helped young people to become better planners, both time planning and route planning, but was also seen to provide them with valuable life skills, and supporting the development of more general independence. A parent, whose son was due to start a work placement on the other side of the city from where he lived, explained how he had been excited to download and explore the Apps to see when his bus would be due, to plan his journey, and be able to travel alone to a new place. Others highlighted how they were not so reliant on parents to take them places or were more confident travelling on their own and/or to new places for the first time:
“She can take the bus to anywhere in town now and doesn't have to rely on parents to take her. It has encouraged her to be more responsible and take responsibility, e.g. looking up timetables on the app and planning journeys.” (Follow-up survey)
“In all fairness, it is less about new opportunities, but more about the child now travelling independent. Before, most travel was taken by car in order to get her there, now she is empowered to do so on her own by using the bus.” (Follow-up survey)
“I would feel more confident travelling maybe a little bit further [for work] if I had the bus pass and I wouldn’t have to wait on somebody coming to pick me up.” (Scheme User)
For parents/carers of young people living on the islands, comments were made that having the free bus pass to travel freely around the islands would help prepare young people for travel on the mainland:
“I think it will really increase their independence and confidence being able to move around the island, so that when they do leave the island to go to college or university, they might already have the confidence to do that elsewhere as well.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
Experience or Age of the Young Person Limiting Use
Focus group respondents discussed the age of the child as limiting their ability to take full advantage of the scheme. While most of those aged 12+ were reportedly using the bus much more often, younger children (typically those in primary school), were often still accompanied by parents/carers, or they continued to be driven, for example, to local clubs, afterschool activities, etc. There was general consensus that those at primary school were too young to travel alone or independently with their friends (with only some in the upper primary school age range described as doing so) - although it was suggested that some younger children were keen to be granted this level of independence:
“It’s been talked about - maybe meeting up with a friend on the bus route - but it hasn’t happened yet and it probably won’t for the foreseeable future.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
“It hasn’t really changed their travel behaviour much at the moment… We do still tend to use the car a lot because it is easier, but I think as soon as I let them, if I let them, travel alone when they’re older, they will be off like rockets and travelling as often as they can.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
Typically, parents of children at primary school were most likely to say that they did not and would not let their children travel alone yet, with the start of secondary school being seen as a reasonable time to allow children to travel more independently. This was not unanimous, however, and there was some speculation that the age at which children should be allowed to travel independently varied by child, depending on their level of maturity, confidence, desire to travel alone, etc.:
“Probably when they start secondary school… but it’s different. One [child] is a lot more responsible than the other one so I don’t think I would put an age on it. I just I would know when they were ready to be trusted with these things by themselves. Probably by the time that they’re going to secondary school… but not at the moment.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
A few survey respondents and parents who participated in focus groups also highlighted concerns about their children not being experienced enough to know what to do if there was an unexpected change, e.g. in the route taken, diversions, buses not turning up, what to do if they needed help, etc. This was particularly relevant for both younger children and those with additional support needs:
“I do worry about a child that is maybe not 15 or 16 years old making decisions when things do go wrong… It’s very easy to say ‘you take this bus and go from here to there’, but if the bus breaks [down] or something unexpected happens, I feel children of a younger age don’t respond to these changes very well, they can’t just ‘think on the fly’ and find an alternative easily.” (Parent of Eligible Non-User)
“If something unusual happens, having the level of maturity to deal with that, it’s not even if the bus broke down, but if a group of people got in the bus that were causing a problem of some sort, what do you do, where’s the adult to help you, and there isn’t one.” (Parent of Eligible Non-User)
Another barrier for some young people may also be a general lack of familiarity with using buses, with parents feeling that a period of ‘training’ may be required where they travel with them to ensure they know what to do. However, it was felt this was challenging for parents who work, have other children to care for, and who would need to pay for their tickets during this period:
“As we don’t use the bus as our first method, I don’t think my son really understands how to navigate the bus network and how to use it very well, so it would take a lot of training and practice so that he could go later on his own, which means I would have had to spend time doing this, and with a full-time job and other kids to care for it’s just not ideal.” (Parent of Eligible Non-User)
In a similar way, another focus group parent (this time to younger children who used the scheme with adult family members) noted that they were preparing their children for when they would be able to use the bus unaccompanied:
“They’re probably a bit too young to be getting on the bus by themselves. However, we have talked them through what it might look like if they were to get the bus to Gran and Grandad’s house, which is sort of two towns over and is easily accessible by bus. So, when I’ve been on the bus with the boys, I’ve said to them ‘This would be the stop that you’d get off, and you just walk across there to be at your Gran and Grandad’s house’… It’s probably something that might have happened anyway but I think they think it’s more realistic now that they have actually got the bus passes in their hands.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
Accessing Opportunities
Across both the baseline and follow-up surveys, respondents were asked whether there were any opportunities or activities they/their child missed out on due to access/travel restrictions. Relevant respondents who participated in the follow-up survey were also asked if there were any new opportunities or activities that they/their child could now access as a result of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme, and/or whether they/their child had lost access to any opportunities or activities as a result of no longer using or being eligible for the scheme.
Difficulties Accessing Opportunities/Activities
Of the 10,520 follow-up survey respondents who provided an answer, 15% (n=1,572) indicated that they/their child currently missed out on opportunities or activities due to access or travel restrictions. This represents a near halving of this issue compared to the baseline, where 29% of respondents indicated such missed opportunities.
The proportions who felt they missed out on opportunities and activities rose by age group, from 13% of those aged 5-11 and 14% of those aged 12-15, to 17% of those aged 16-21 and 21% of those aged 22-23. In addition, there were significant differences noted by use of the scheme - 13% of those who used the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme said they experienced such limitations, compared to 22% of those who did not use the scheme.
Opportunities and activities which were being missed out on varied, but included:
- Social and leisure activities;
- Hobbies, sports and activity clubs, classes and events, including after-school activities;
- Outdoor pursuits and activities;
- Visits to cultural and historical sites;
- Days out/day trips;
- Visiting friends and family;
- Accessing care and support services for those with additional support needs (ASN);
- Job/employment opportunities (including work experience); and
- Limits on the locations of further/higher education facilities that could be accessed.
Respondents who specified what their travel or access issues were generally cited either a lack of bus services (or other public transport options) to get them/their child to/from the venue, infrequent services, services which stopped too early at night or did not operate at the weekend/on Sundays, services which took too long to arrive at the destination or which were considered to be unreliable, and a lack of ability to drive/be driven:
“Eldest would like a part time job, but we live in a small village and buses are not regular or frequent enough to allow him to commute. Leisure activities are dependent on us being able to pick him up as bus times don't work for homeward journey.” (Follow-up survey)
“Bus route doesn't serve college at the right time to attend classes in the morning, and there is only one option. Very poor bus links to major colleges in the area.” (Follow-up survey)
Where young people reported use of the scheme mainly during the week and on Saturdays this was generally because bus services were less frequent on Sundays or that they didn’t have anywhere to be on Sundays:
“I use it quite often, mostly going out at the weekends, but not on a Sunday as there’s only a bus every hour.” (Scheme User)
Problems with availability of suitable bus/public transport services were particularly acute for those living in villages and rural areas, although such issues were not unique to these areas. Those living on islands also flagged limitations due to the lack of suitable/regular bus services, however, this was also exacerbated by the availability and cost of ferries:
“We live in an island with no bus, ferry to mainland is not free for children.” (Follow-up survey)
“We pay around £70 a week in ferry fares to attend a sports club that is not offered where we live. It’s crippling. My child shows potential but will likely not be able to excel fully due to the cost of travel to get there. Ferry fares are too high. Trains and buses do not meet the ferry and tie in, so we have to take the car every time.” (Follow-up survey)
The cost of travel was also cited as an issue for several respondents who had either not signed up to the scheme, or who had tried to sign up but encountered problems with the application process:
“Because I don't have a bus pass. My mum doesn't know how to apply and has tried many times. Bus costs are too high for her. So, I don't travel anywhere.” (Follow-up survey)
“Taking my three children on the bus, be it only a few stops, costs £10 a return journey. This is a large amount of money. This dissuades us from taking leisure, shopping and social trips. I am learning to drive since it will be cheaper (one journey per day adds up to £280 a month).” (Follow-up survey)
Newly Accessible Opportunities
Follow-up survey respondents who use the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme, and those who had used it previously but had stopped, were asked if there were any new opportunities or activities that they had been able to access as a result of the scheme. Just over a third (34%) stated that they had been able to access new opportunities and activities.
When disaggregated by age, a significantly lower proportion of those aged 5-11 (20%) had accessed new opportunities or activities as a result of the scheme compared to all other age groups (36% of 12-15 year olds, 42% of 16-21 year olds, and 34% of 22-23 year olds). Those who currently used the scheme were also more likely to have accessed new opportunities and activities compared to those who had used it previously but stopped (35% vs 21% respectively).
Respondents who indicated that they did have access to new opportunities were asked to outline what these were. While new social, leisure and club-based activities were identified most often, there was also evidence of the scheme opening up new opportunities for education and work:
“College - free bus travel allows me to attend as otherwise wouldn't afford it.” (Follow-up survey)
“Better paying work further from home, which would not have been viable without the scheme.” (Follow-up survey)
“Started a new job which is only part time around studies and is minimum wage for her age. Had she not had her free travel her wage would have only just covered her bus fare each day so it wouldn’t have been worth her working.” (Follow-up survey)
The range of new opportunities and activities that were said to have been accessed as a result of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme included:
- New schools in out-of-catchment areas (or continuing to access existing schools after moving house), and accessing other schools within the local authority or colleges for wider educational opportunities/subject choice;
- Supporting the choice of college and university locations, as well as other training programmes (including accessing open days);
- New jobs (including better paying jobs and those more suited to the individual), internships, apprenticeships, work experience/placements;
- Social and leisure activities and events;
- Sports and activity clubs, classes and events (including the gym);
- Volunteering and coaching;
- Attending church and church activities;
- Visiting family and friends;
- Visiting new/different areas, travelling further afield, this included their nearest town or city for socialising/activities, as well as other towns/cities and rural areas for parks, the beach, walking, etc. for days out;
- To access healthcare as well as support and care services for those with disabilities and ASN; and
- For short breaks and holidays.
“Visits to shops, art gallery, concerts, family, relatives, generally gaining more independence. Free bus travel has been a godsend, giving so many opportunities to our children, including cultural, educational and social opportunities, as well as work and study. A brilliant initiative.” (Follow-up survey)
Personal feedback from a parent/carer via the stakeholder survey also suggested that the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had opened up a wide range of opportunities for their children:
“I have two kids making use of free bus travel. We are fairly rural, and the free bus travel scheme is a complete game changer for our family. Gives the kids freedom to meet friends and to go on independent adventures. It also opens up the possibilities for part-time working in towns a bit further away that might otherwise not have been feasible. Girl No 1 is away to start college in August and will use the free travel to get into town daily. One of the best things ScotGov has done to date.” (Parent/Carer Feedback via Stakeholder Survey)
Focus group respondents also highlighted that the scheme had allowed them to travel to new places or do new things, often for leisure purposes, but also to explore new or different work opportunities and volunteering roles:
“I probably would not spend much time in the middle of town as I do if I didn’t have access to free bus travel… it means I can [now] stop in the museum whenever I want, or just spend time in [city centre park], and I like that.” (Scheme User)
“When I was looking for a job, I wasn’t limiting myself just to my town. I was increasing it to where the bus journeys might take me, so I would get more opportunities.” (Scheme User)
“I work with a sports charity and, before I moved [house] I was pretty close to it so I was able to just walk or cycle there… But after I moved, cycling or walking there wasn’t convenient at all, because it’s 5 or 6 miles… But after the bus pass, I was able to restart going back there again.” (Scheme User)
Others also suggested that the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had encouraged a general desire to travel and explore, and that they were embracing the freedom provided:
“I think it also gives the kids a world of possibilities - ‘Oh, let’s go here this week’ or ‘Let’s have a trip to the sea’, so it gives them a bit more independence and desire to try new things.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
“Free bus travel opens my horizons!” (Follow-up survey)
Whilst not a new opportunity per se, it was noted (across follow-up survey and focus group feedback) that students living away from home were also able to visit home more often as a result of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme.
Parents of younger children (in the focus groups) were most likely to comment that their children travelled by bus purely for fun, i.e. the pleasure of travelling by bus. They also generally felt that their children were too young to have used the pass to travel to ‘new’ places, or to travel unaccompanied, but that this may be something that would naturally occur as they got older.
Lost Opportunities Due to Losing Access to Scheme
Follow-up survey respondents who had previously used the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme but had stopped were asked if there were any opportunities or activities that they had lost access to as a result of no longer using the scheme. Of the 260 respondents who provided a response, 28% indicated there were, 51% said there was not, and 21% did not know.
Again, most issues related to the loss of access to social, leisure and activity-based opportunities, such as clubs, meeting friends, and visiting family and friends:
“I just can’t get out as much to the bigger towns/cities (I live in a rural area) because bus tickets cost so much, so I rarely leave the house for leisure now unless I know I can afford the trip out.” (Follow-up survey)
However, a few also noted difficulties in getting to school, and others noted it had had a negative impact on their employment, with one declining shorter shifts at work, as it was not cost effective, and another having to give up their job as the cost was unsustainable/prohibitive:
“Had to give up a job in [city] as the travel costs to commute made the job unsustainable in terms of earnings.” (Follow-up survey)
“Visit friends less often, join lectures remotely, don't opt for shorter shifts as travel costs make it not financially viable.” (Follow-up survey)
Impacts on Family Travel
Parents who completed the follow-up survey were also asked if the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had encouraged them to make more journeys as a family by bus. Of the 5,775 respondents who provided a response, 44% said that it had, 43% said it had not, and 13% did not know. This was relatively consistent with parents’ expectations in this respect in the baseline survey, where 46% thought that they would travel by bus more as a family once the scheme had been introduced.
Similarly mixed responses were provided from focus group respondents who used the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel in terms of impacts on family travel.
Travelling by Bus More as a Family
Those who said they did now travel by bus more as a family were asked to outline the types of trips they made. The main journey purposes included days out (both locally and longer distance journeys), for social and leisure activities, to go shopping, to eat out, for events, and visiting friends and family. Several also noted using the bus for church, healthcare and other appointments. Short trips, weekends away and even taking family holidays were also mentioned by a few respondents.
Several survey respondents and focus group participants indicated that the main family travel involved the young person and their siblings, rather than travelling with parents/carers:
“During the weekend, my oldest child takes my youngest child to places like [city]. They used to use the train but then they realised it was a lot more expensive and so now they prefer the bus.” (Parent/Carer of a Scheme User)
“My family don’t use the bus, so it’s just me and my brother that get the bus together.” (Scheme User)
Some also indicated that the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had enabled greater intergenerational travel/outings, with grandparents travelling more with their grandchildren if/where they also benefitted from free bus travel (i.e. the 60+ free travel scheme).. In addition, a few who indicated they did not travel by bus more as a family said their child only used the bus with their grandparents (not their parents) due them all having free travel:
“My parents have the older people’s travel card and now they can all travel together... There is a limited bus service, but they would go on the bus mainly just to enjoy the trip, rather than to actually go anywhere, just because they enjoy the bus.” (Parent/Carer of a Scheme User)
“My dad certainly has taken advantage of it and is definitely more inclined to say to the kids, ‘Come on, let’s just go on the bus and we’ll go into town’, and he wouldn’t necessarily have done that before because to have the three of them on the bus would have been quite an expensive day out.” (Parent/Carer of a Scheme User)
This latter parent explained that their children used to travel regularly with their grandparent before they went to school (i.e. when bus travel was free) but that stopped until the bus pass came was introduced, which made trips with grandparents (who also had free travel) more affordable again:
“Previously, when they were under five, they were able to travel for free so they would take the three of them up to [city]… it was just a big adventure. And that did stop as they started school and they had to pay for the bus fares, and I think he [grandparent] was cheerier than I was to get the bus passes… Because he loves doing that with them.” (Parent/Carer of a Scheme User)
Those who outlined why there had been an increase in family travel by bus typically indicated that it was now cheaper than using alternative modes, particularly driving where fuel and parking costs were involved. Although some did also note it was also cheaper than taking the train and taxis:
“It is a more affordable option now children are free. We take bus instead of car as paying for 2 adults return on bus works out cheaper than driving and paying for parking in city.” (Follow-up survey)
“…as a family we used to take the car to the city centre, but now as 3 children (young adults) have bus passes we now take the bus as it is cost effective.” (Follow-up survey)
In addition to the cost differences, parents (in both the follow-up survey and focus groups) also felt there were advantages to taking the bus over car use in certain areas. In particular, where parking was difficult to find, and where there were time restrictions on parking (or financial costs to staying longer):
“Meeting friends in the centre of the city because parking is too difficult to find and too expensive and time restrictive. The bus means we can relax without worrying when we need to rush back to the car.” (Follow-up survey)
“If we go to things at the weekend where there’s not going to be parking, we definitely use the bus then… we probably use them more for places where it would be difficult to get parked.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
There was also evidence that the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had removed barriers to travel/transport and supported family activities that were previously unaffordable:
“It means we can now do more as a family as we couldn’t afford to before.” (Follow-up survey)
“Day trips that are too far away to walk and where cost of public transport tickets would have been a barrier to make those trips.” (Follow-up survey)
While the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme was appreciated by all respondents who used it, it appeared to be particularly beneficial for large families (i.e. those with three or more children):
“Family days out - as we are a big family and my parents couldn't afford the bus tickets for all of us, so with us children being free, we can go out more now.” (Follow-up survey)
“Get to visit more places, like museums and parks, etc. as it was too expensive before as we are a family of eight.” (Follow-up survey)
“I am a single parent to six children… so getting the bus anywhere used to be too cost prohibitive. We now use the bus quite a lot.” (Follow-up survey)
A few respondents also noted the environmental benefits of using the bus more often, and the impact of the Low Emission Zones (LEZ) meaning that bus use was preferable/easier.
Reasons for Not Travelling by Bus More as a Family
Those that had not used the bus more often as a family were asked to outline why.
The main issue for respondents was that adult bus fares were generally perceived to be too expensive, with some indicating that the train, taxi and driving remained cheaper options:
“Adult fares are expensive - it costs double what we pay to go by car including parking.” (Follow-up survey)
“Because I can't really afford the bus prices.” (Follow-up survey)
“If all five of us were travelling it would be £16 for just me and my husband even with the free bus passes, so the cost and the convenience of the car means we would probably just use that.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
A wide range of other reasons for not using the bus more for family travel were also outlined, and included:
- Having access to, and already paying for the upkeep of a car, and finding that car use was more convenient/practical;
- Issues with bus services, including lack of services, reliability, the length of journeys, timetabling, routes, and busy/crowded services;
- Instances of, or the risk of experiencing anti-social behaviour on-board buses;
- Buses were considered less convenient/practical when carrying lots of bags/goods or travelling with a pram/buggy;
- There was no change in behaviour as the family already used the bus;
- That parents did not like buses or were prone to travel sickness on buses;
- They preferred to use the train, particularly where they had a railcard as it was cheaper than adult bus fares for family travel;
- That bus travel was not suitable due to either a parent or child having a disability, ASN or anxiety;
- The young person wanted more independence and did not want to travel as a family;
- Those in rural areas indicated that they had little alternative but to use their car; and
- Some parents preferred to walk or cycle wherever possible.
Wider Benefits for Young People and Families
Non-Drivers and Single Car Households
The Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme was felt to have been particularly helpful for parents/carers who did not drive and for families with multiple children where there was just one car in the household. Not having access to a private vehicle made it difficult for some families to take different children to different places at the same time, and the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme had opened up opportunities for families to engage in different activities concurrently (i.e. freed them up to be more independent of one another).
Non-drivers and single car households also commented that the scheme had allowed children and parents to travel during holidays when the other parent was at work and using the car, e.g. a day out for shopping or sightseeing when the main car user was at work:
“If my husband has his car at work, I would take them all [out] and, to be honest, if I think about it, if they didn’t have their bus passes, I might have said “We’ll go at the weekend”… but I maybe now would be more inclined.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
“As a non-driver, it helps me to be able to get out and about with the kids during the holidays, and then when they get older it will help them to have that little bit more independence to do things on their own and travel to where they want to be. So, for me, it’s all good really!” (Parent/Carer)
Cashless Travel
Parents/carers who attended focus groups commented on the positive aspects of children not having to carry cash when travelling, as this meant that there was less likelihood of money being lost (preventing them from getting home), and no temptation to spend their travel money on anything else. One parent also explained that the need to carry cash to pay for children’s travel had been a barrier to their bus use before the scheme was introduced:
“When the buses first went contactless, you could only pay for one person on your card, so if I was going anywhere with the children, I would have to pay for myself with my card and given them each a little pile of money so that they could then pay for themselves to get on. And that would definitely have put me off - just the organisation of that - giving cash to a child who is going to drop it… It’s definitely a lot more convenient to have the bus pass.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
Similarly, the ability to simply tap the card also removed the stress of having the right bus ticket for the right service, making travel and journey planning less stressful:
“Especially now that you don’t have to buy multiple tickets, you just use the one card, and that makes it a lot more stress free to travel. Because even if you miss a bus and get a different one, you don’t have the stress of having to buy a new one [ticket], or having to explain to the bus driver that you missed your bus, you can just get on.” (Scheme User)
Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing/Covid-19 Recovery
Several survey respondents also suggested that the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme was beneficial for young people’s mental health, and was seen as particularly supportive in this respect after Covid-19 and the related isolation:
“More activities to meet new people and socialise, really positive for mental wellbeing.” (Follow-up survey)
“I can go out and socialise with my friends more which has helped after Covid where we were stuck in.” (Follow-up survey)
“As a teen my child chooses to travel to meet her friends. I'm very grateful for the free bus travel. It gave kids more freedom after Covid and now a huge help during cost of living crisis.” (Follow-up survey)
Parents/carers (particularly of teenagers) who participated in the focus groups also spoke of their children/young people feeling less under scrutiny as a result of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme, i.e. there were fewer concerns about parents dropping off or picking up and “spying” on young people, as they could travel to/from places with more privacy:
“I would say it’s definitely given them more independence… realising that she can be dropped off at the cinema instead of relying on her dad, which is embarrassing if your friends are waiting… and I think it’s encouraged her to be a bit braver too, and to be more resilient.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
As a result, there had been some unexpected benefits to the quality of relationships between parents and their children:
“I think our relationship has actually got better because she feels that we trust her and that she and her friends have their own time that is more relaxed and independent, that allows her to feel like a young adult.” (Parent/Carer of Scheme User)
Impact of Being Unable to Access Scheme
For eligible young people who were not using the scheme, it was felt that while they may not be missing out on the range of opportunities open to them per se, they were generally less independent in accessing them, accessed opportunities less often (due to cost and/or the need for someone to take them), and/or it cost them significantly more money in travel than their friends and peers:
“It’s not that they’re missing out, but maybe it’s something they could do more often… for us to access a leisure facility we may not go as often as we need to organise what we’re doing. But if it was something convenient that my son would feel confident doing on his own, he may be able to go and enjoy that more often as he wouldn’t depend as much on us as a family planning that activity. He could be more independent in that sense.” (Parent of an Eligible Non-User)
A few parents (typically those who wanted to use the scheme but could not, often due to application issues or a lack of suitable bus services), however, were concerned that there could potentially be longer term impacts on young people’s social skills and mental health compared to their peers due to their inability to access the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme:
“My YP [young person] is more dependent on me and doesn't have the opportunity to travel independently - this affects their mental wellbeing when they are forced to use public transport as it isn't familiar and they don't feel safe. The YP would rather miss out on opportunities to ensure there is no additional stress on us and they have to accept out limitations, which shouldn't be the case.” (Follow-up survey)