Mayor extends free travel for care leavers

Care-experienced young people across the North East will continue to receive free public transport as part of a scheme designed to ease living costs and widen access to opportunities.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness has confirmed the continuation of the Care Experienced Scheme, which provides eligible 18 to 25-year-olds who have left local authority care with unlimited travel.

Participants receive a free Pop smart card covering buses, the Tyne and Wear Metro and Shields Ferry across the region.

Since launching in 2023, the scheme has supported more than 122,000 journeys across the North East’s seven local authority areas.

With rising living costs continuing to put pressure on young people’s finances, the initiative removes a significant everyday expense for those leaving care.

Free travel is also designed to help young people access college, training and employment, supporting greater independence while enabling them to develop skills and contribute to the regional economy.

The initiative forms part of the Mayor’s Child Poverty Action Plan and complements wider efforts to make transport more affordable.

These include the Mayor’s Fares, which cap bus and Metro travel at £1 for under-22s, alongside seasonal initiatives such as Kids Go Free.

Mayor McGuinness said: “The cost of living is hitting young people hard, especially those leaving care, who are far more likely to be managing on their own.

“By making travel completely free for those leaving care, we’re taking away one of the biggest everyday worries. 

“It means those young people don’t have to think twice about getting to college, turning up for work, or attending a job interview because of the cost of transport.

“This is a promise I made in our regions Child Poverty Action Plan, and this is that promise being delivered—real help, making a real difference, right where it matters.”

Callum, who has been supported by Newcastle Council’s Care Leaver Team, hailed the benefits of the free-travel initiative.

He said: “Personally for me, having a Pop card has been the most beneficial thing I own at the moment. 

“Not only does it allow me to save money but it also allows me to be motivated to get out the house without being worried it will cost me. 

“Because of that my mental heath has improved significantly and even when I’m down I can use the Pop card to go on a travel to clear my head.”

Eligible young people can apply for the scheme through their local authority.

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.