Plans to cap single bus fares at £1 for 16 to 21-year-olds in Wales will now be extended to younger children.

A discounted bus travel scheme for young people – due to begin in September – had been criticised because five to 15-year-olds could have paid more for buses than older teens.

The Welsh government has now decided to extend the year long pilot to younger children, although they will benefit from November, two months later than 16 to 21-year-olds will.

Plaid Cymru, which had accused ministers of botching the original plans, said ministers had committed an “unacceptable oversight” as a result of a “last-minute” budget deal.

Single fares in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport for five to 15-year-olds are all currently higher than the planned cap.

The Welsh government officially launched the scheme on Thursday – First Minister Eluned Morgan denied that was premature given negotiations with bus companies were still ongoing.

There are concerns in the bus industry that the amount they will be reimbursed for the discount is yet to be ironed out.

Officials say they expect the vast majority of companies to take part.

Discount bus travel was part of an agreement between Welsh Labour and the Welsh Liberal Democrats in February which allowed the government’s spending plans to pass.

Single fares will cost £1 and day passes £3. Those aged 16 to 21 will need a Mytravelpass to get the fares.

Pass holders already get a third off fares, although only a third of 16 to 21-year-olds are members.

Those who already have a pass will not need to reapply, but new applicants will have to wait until 21 July until they can sign up online.

Children aged five to 15 will not need a pass to qualify. The pilot is due to close at the end of August 2026.

Their part of the scheme will start later – officials say complexities to do with the use of the public bus network for school bus travel have meant it has taken longer to set up.

Ministers have found an extra £7m to pay for the extension – raising the cost from £15m to £22m.

Hanna and Neve, both 17 and from Newport, welcomed the £1 bus fare.

“At the moment it’s really unfair,” Hanna said. “Unless I have the pass I have to pay for an adult ticket”

Neve said: “The £1 should help because, again, I would have to pay an adult fare.

“If I have got to take the bus to college every day, especially if you work part time, I think a lot of people don’t consider it’s a lot of money. It adds up over time”

Peredur Owen Griffiths of Plaid Cymru said: “The original proposals were absurd, with young people under 15 being left having to pay more to use buses on which they rely so much.

“This unacceptable oversight was a result of desperate last-minute deals from Labour, who were seeking any way to get their unambitious and insufficient Budget through.

The Welsh Conservatives’ Sam Rowlands said: “Welsh Conservatives have long called for free bus travel for young people, to help them access the education, training and employment they need.

“More investment is needed to support bus routes in rural communities, ensuring all parts of society can access bus travel.”

There is some concern in the bus industry over how companies will be reimbursed.

BBC Wales was told it was not 100% clear how and to what extent they will be paid for providing the discounted fares – with the matter still under negotiation.

There are also concerns over whether the scheme would end suddenly and whether that would cause a sharp drop in the numbers using buses.

Aaron Hill of CPT Wales, which represents major bus companies, said: “In order to roll out this scheme in the autumn, bus operators need clarity on exactly how lower bus fares will be funded, and on reimbursement for individual bus companies which will be cutting fares for passengers.

“It is also important that the government considers how long the scheme will last, and how it can ultimately be ended without a ‘cliff edge’ that deters passengers.”

Speaking to BBC Wales at a launch event in Newport, Morgan was asked if the announcement was premature.

“Not at all. It’s really important that young people recognise that there’s an opportunity for them to get on the buses for a pound from September.

“It’s important that they sign up to the Mytravelpass, so we’ve got to make sure that things are ready for them.”

Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds, said: “So many young people have told me what a difference both the £1 single and £3 daily tickets will make to their lives when the scheme launches in September.”

Additional reporting by Daniel Davies.