Mayor launches Kids Go Free initiative

A North East-wide travel initiative is helping families cut holiday costs with free bus travel for children this summer.

The region’s Kids Go Free scheme, led by North East mayor Kim McGuinness, will run from July 19 to August 31 across bus services in Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland. 

It allows up to three children aged eleven and under to travel for free with any fare-paying adult or concessionary pass holder.

The mayor has confirmed that Kids Go Free will continue during all school holidays until at least September 2026, covering travel across seven North East local authority areas.

Mayor McGuinness, who met with local primary school children at the Auckland Project, in Bishop Auckland, to officially launch this summer’s campaign, said: “Kids Go Free will see thousands of children across the North East travelling for free this summer. 

“From Berwick to Bishop Auckland and beyond, families can enjoy cheaper travel by bus and when using the Metro and Ferry too.”

“Since launching last year, Kids Go Free has already helped so many people travel affordably and enjoy their time together during the school holidays.

“Affordable travel is great news for everyone, but I know that family budgets are increasingly stretched, so I'm pulling out all the stops to do everything we can to reduce the burden of high transport costs for local people.”

Bus operators across the region have signed up to the campaign, which aims to make public transport more accessible for families during the school holidays. 

The offer complements the existing year-round free travel available to children on the Metro and Shields Ferry when accompanied by an adult.

A joint statement on behalf of local bus operators, added: “Stagecoach, Go Northeast and Arriva are proud to support the Kids Go Free scheme. 

“The summer holidays can be a tough time for families in terms of affordability, so we're delighted to enable families to have more cost-effective days out.”

Cathy Massarella, managing director of Nexus, added: “It’s great to see that Kids Go Free is returning for the schools’ summer holidays. 

“The scheme has been a real success story on both Metro and the Shields Ferry, helping families to save money on the cost of public transport.” 

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