Mayor Kim extends free travel scheme for care-experienced young people
Initiative supports 18 to 25-year-olds with no-cost transport across North East
Care-experienced young people across the North East will continue to benefit from free, unlimited public transport as Mayor Kim McGuinness confirms the extension of the Care Experienced Scheme.
Designed to ease cost-of-living pressures, the initiative offers 18 to 25-year-olds who have left local authority care a free Pop smart card, providing unrestricted travel on buses, the Metro, and the Shields Ferry.
Mayor McGuinness expressed her commitment to eliminating transportation costs for young people leaving care, facilitating access to education, work, and opportunities.
The scheme fulfills promises outlined in the North East's Child Poverty Action Plan, aiming to support care-leavers through practical measures that impact their day-to-day lives.
Since its launch in 2023, the scheme has resulted in over 122,000 journeys and is part of Mayor McGuinness's broader agenda to make everyday travel affordable for all.
The initiative complements efforts such as The Mayor’s Fares, which caps transportation costs for those under 22, and seasonal offers like Kids Go Free.
Callum, a young person supported by Newcastle Council's Care Leaver Team, shared his positive experiences with the free-travel initiative, noting how it has improved his mental health by reducing financial concerns.
Eligible individuals can apply for the Care Experienced Scheme through their local authority to access the benefits of no-cost transportation.