Mayor pledges to extend £1 bus fare cap

A regional transport initiative aimed at improving access to work, education and training is set to continue following strong take-up among young people.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has pledged to extend the £1 bus fare cap for under 22s across the region until at least 2027, after more than four million journeys were made since the scheme launched in June 2024.

The fare cap was introduced following the mayor re-election and allows young people to travel across the Tees Valley for £1 per journey. 

A companion £3 day ticket, offering unlimited daily travel across local bus services, has also proved popular.

Mayor Houchen said the extension would help ensure young people can continue to access jobs, training and education opportunities, particularly as the cost of living remains a challenge for many families.

He said: “This is about giving young people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool the boost they need.

“Access to jobs, training and education is unbelievably vital. 

“More than four million journeys show this £1 cap is working, so I’m determined to keep this going and make sure travel costs don’t hold ambition back.

“When I make a pledge, I keep it.

“I hope leaders recognise this is a no brainer and back me in the spring so we can continue putting money back in young people’s pockets.”

The pledge follows confirmation from Government that bus funding for the region will increase by an additional £1.1 million a year until 2029 through the Bus Service Operators Grant.

The £1 fare cap applies to most journeys starting in the Tees Valley, including services travelling beyond the region, while the £3 day ticket can be used across multiple operators.

An extension of both fare offers is subject to approval by the Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet in March, with the mayor indicating his intention to maintain the scheme for as long as funding allows.

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