Reported fraudulent use of the under-22 free bus travel scheme: FOI release

Information requested

The total number of reported fraudulent uses of the under-22 free bus travel scheme since its introduction. By fraudulent use I mean the bus pass being used by people other than the registered pass holder.

Response

From the launch of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme on 31 January 2022 to 31 May 2025, out of 225,773,731 smart journeys made, the number of reported cases of card misuse was 4,454. Please note that this figure is for reports of all card misuse, and includes cards returned by transport operators. We do not specifically record use by someone other than the cardholder. This information is correct as at 4 July 2025 although is subject to possible change due to receipt of late data.

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