Children on the Isle of Wight aged from five to 15 can travel for free on the bus from 1st to 31st August this year.
Southern Vectis are offering the free travel as part of a Government scheme, making days out for families taking public transport on the Island cheaper this summer.
While the scheme starts on 1st August 2026, hopeful bus travellers should be aware that terms and conditions do apply, and that some bus routes are not included in the scheme.
Southern Vectis has answered a number of frequently asked questions on their website.
How do children aged five to 11 claim free travel?
All children aged 5 to 11 must be accompanied by a fare paying adult to benefit from this scheme.
A cap is currently in place which makes all adult single bus fares £3 or less and for this scheme, a concessionary card holder counts as a fare paying adult.
When boarding the bus with your children, the driver should be told where you are going and how many five to 11-year-olds you have with you.
A ticket will then be issued for each child which must be held on to for the journey. A ticket must be issued for each trip made, even if several are made in one day.
Southern Vectis recommends that fare paying adults use “tap on tap off” to pay so that their daily fare is capped at the cost of a Day Rover, if applicable.
How do children aged 11 to 15 claim free travel?
Children at this age can take the bus independently and still claim free travel. They must tell the driver where they are going when they get on the bus, and keep the ticket they are issued for their entire journey.
For children aged 14 and 15, they must bring proof of age to show the driver, such as a birth certificate, passport or a 2025/2026 school pass.
Proof of age does NOT have to be the physical document as Southern Vectis has confirmed that a clear photograph on a mobile phone will be accepted.
If the 14 or 15-year-old cannot confirm their age and the driver reasonably suspects they may be older than the scheme, Southern Vectis has said that they will need to pay the appropriate fare in order to travel.
A 15-year-old cannot take a sibling younger than 11 out with them and claim free travel as part of this scheme.
To receive the free travel, the youngest child can only travel with someone aged 16+ years and they may be asked for ID.
What routes are excluded from the scheme?
Southern Vectis has confirmed that all night buses, The Needles Breezer, The Downs Breezer and the Island Coaster are excluded from this scheme.
What if the child you are responsible for already has a bus pass that covers this period?
Southern Vectis has said the following to answer this question,
“For those who are eligible who have prepaid monthly or three-monthly tickets, an appropriate partial refund through customers services can be claimed. To do this you will need to call customer services on 0330 0539 182 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5.30pm.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
