Mayor extends free travel offer for teenagers coming out of care
Young people who have been in care will continue to receive free, unlimited travel on public transport, after North East Mayor Kim McGuinness extended a flagship scheme to help keep them mobile.
The Care Experienced Scheme – aimed at easing cost of living pressures and opening up opportunities – provides 18 to 25‑year‑olds who have left local authority care with a free Pop smart card, covering unlimited travel on buses, the Metro system.
The Mayor, who backed and funded the scheme, 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, meaning they 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 region’s Child Poverty Action Plan, and it is delivering real help and making a real difference, right where it matters.”
The Mayor said free travel is not just about easing pressure on household budgets, it is also aimed at making the North East a real home of opportunity, helping care experienced young people get to college, training and jobs – strengthening the regional economy.
Since launching in 2023, the scheme has enabled over 122,000 journeys across all seven local authority areas, making it one of the most comprehensive travel offers of its kind anywhere in the country.
The scheme forms a key part of the Mayor’s commitments within the North East Child Poverty Action Plan - delivering practical, day‑to‑day support that helps young people manage costs while building independence and long‑term life chances.
The Mayor also says it furthers her ambition and commitment to make everyday travel affordable for all - building on The Mayor’s Fares which caps bus and rail costs at £1 for those under the age of 22, as well as seasonal initiatives such as Kids Go Free.
Eligible young people can apply for the Care Experienced Scheme through their local authority.