£1 Tiger Pass scheme hoped to remain until March 2027
The scheme is popular with young adults in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Last updated 12th Dec 2025
A popular bus pass scheme funded by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) could be extended until spring 2027.
The Tiger Pass scheme was introduced by former Labour CPCA Mayor Dr Nik Johnson in May 2024 to support access to affordable bus travel for people under 25 across the county through £1 single fares.
Since it began, the pass has seen significant uptake, with over 60,000 passes issued and more than 3.2 million journeys made.
With its budget initially forecast to run out in November 2025, CPCA board members agreed earlier this year to end the local bus fare cap early and use the money to extend the Tiger Pass scheme until March 2026.
There were some concerns following discussions over the summer that the scheme could be reshaped by adding certain restrictions to the pass.
However, a report which goes before the CPCA board on December 18 now proposes securing the future of the Tiger Pass in its current form until March 2027, in line with the ending of the national £3 fare cap.
Current Conservative CPCA Mayor Paul Bristow said: “When I became mayor, I promised permanent reduced fares for young people as a fixture in our transport network. I know this is making a difference for young people across our region.
“For many, it’s not just a ticket to school or work, but a way to see friends, take part in sport and leisure, and live life without worrying about the cost of travel.
“I’m proud to have worked with board members and officers to bring forward a proposal that secures the pass until March 2027, and I’m committed to working with them on options post March, to build a sustainable, long-term plan for the future.”
The CPCA report stated that longer term funding to fully support the ongoing cost of the existing Tiger Pass scheme had not been identified.
“At this stage, whilst potential funding has been identified to offset the forecast cost of the scheme, noting that some of this is subject to further negotiation, there remains a shortfall and it is proposed that this is underwritten from time limited use of resources,” the report added.
Peterborough City Council’s Labour leader Cllr Shabina Qayyum said she was delighted by the proposal to extend the Tiger Pass and claimed more than 50 organisations urged the mayor to protect it in its current form.
She said: “Peterborough has been fundamental to this because we are one of the transport authorities and we have said that we won’t compromise on an alternative to the Tiger Pass in its current form.
“This is a huge win for us and also demonstrates we are an administration that is listening and putting our residents first.”
Cllr Cameron Holloway, Labour leader of Cambridge City Council, said: “I know from speaking to residents across Cambridge how important the Tiger Pass is to young people and their families.
“Cambridge City Council has been consistently clear that we would not support any cuts to the Tiger Pass in its current form – it’s just too important for that.
“The value of the Tiger Pass has been very clearly underlined by school heads joining with community leaders and young people themselves to call for the pass to be retained. Thank you to all of those who have spoken out so strongly on this.”