The UK government has introduced a national Kids Go Free scheme for children and teenagers, allowing them to travel for free across most services throughout August until 6 September. The scheme allows children aged between five and 15 to travel at no cost on most services across the West. However, those aged 16, 17 or 18 still have to pay a standard child fare. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the cost of living was a concern for households across the UK. Funding has been secured for children to travel free on buses during school holidays for the next three years, covering summer, Easter and Christmas holidays until 2029. TravelWest has published a list of bus companies in Bristol, which also operate across the wider West, included in the free travel scheme.