Young people will get cut price tickets on Norfolk buses from next month after all the major bus operators agreed to offer special fares for 16 to 19-year-olds.

Norfolk County Council has persuaded all the bus companies to sign up for discounts, which will see teenagers save up to 30pc on the price of tickets.

The lower fares will be available across all the main operators from the start of September.

Most had already offered them, but when First extends its child discounts to cover 16 to 19-year-olds, it will mean they all do.

Lower cost bus travel for young people was one of the proposals that helped Norfolk County Council secure �2.6m in Better Bus Area funding from the government.

The county council will be promoting the discounts, but bus companies have agreed to offer the lower fares for older teenagers even though no council subsidy is available.

Graham Plant, county council cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: 'Cutting the cost of travel is consistently at the top of the list when young people are asked what could be done to help them in their daily lives.

'Cheaper bus travel will bring jobs, education and training within easier reach - as well as opportunities for sport and leisure.

'As part of our Better Bus Area funding bid we pledged to secure bus ticket discounts for young people in the Norwich area next year.

'Thanks to the enthusiastic response of bus companies it will be available from September, and across the whole county.'

Anglian Bus Coach Services, Konectbus Norfolk Green, Sanders Coaches and Simonds already offer discounts, but First will complete the set when their discounts start on Saturday, September 1.

Steve Wickers, regional commercial director for First South East and Midlands said: 'I am delighted to extend the child discounts to 16 to 19-year-olds on our services, making bus travel the preferred option for work, education and social journeys.

'We hope the new Young Person fare will encourage more young people in Norfolk and Lowestoft to use their local bus service.'

Julian Patterson, commercial director for Konectbus and AnglianBus, said 'We have for many years recognised and valued the custom of teenagers and encouraged them to travel by public transport whenever possible.

'Konectbus has already offered no-quibble discounts for 16 to 19-year-olds for several years and following on from the huge success of this we are pleased to roll it out across the AnglianBus network in Norfolk and Lowestoft too.'

dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk