Bus boost plan for Tees Valley care leavers

A new initiative could provide free bus travel for care leavers aged 25 and under across the Tees Valley.

The Tees Valley mayor and combined authority are set to discuss the proposals, which would be funded through the Bus Service Improvement Programme and the £3.5 million Intra-City Transport Fund, building on the existing £1 bus fare for under-21s.

If approved at a cabinet meeting on March 28, plans will move forward to implement the programme.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “We want to provide the very best support for people to take advantage of the employment and training opportunities that we are bringing to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“Access to affordable transport plays a vitally important role in achieving this, and this new programme will help tackle some of the financial and social challenges we know care leavers can often face as they move into adulthood.”

Chris Cooke, Middlesbrough mayor and Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member, added: “Providing free travel for care leavers under 25 is such a simple thing to do that will go a long way.

“Young people who leave care face so many challenges, and we should be working together to remove as many obstacles as possible.”

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